A Poem for the New Year

I have been really into poetry lately. Not sure why, but it has just had this profound power over me....I think because I've been in this somewhat long and semi-frustrating state of feeling like I have so much to say and write, but for various reasons I have just not had the words to do so. Often, when I find myself in this place, music speaks to me and I can point to a certain song or set of lyrics and say, "This is how I'm feeling." or "This says exactly what I am unable to." But for some reason, poems have been the thing lately. I can't tell you how many times in recent months I've been reading something and have been moved to tears by the fact that a sentiment is so beautifully, powerfully, and simply expressed. Anyway, it has been feeding my soul. Here's a poem I ran across just the other day that I thought was a good one for the New Year. The entire poem is worth reading, but here is an excerpt of just the last two stanzas. Enjoy...and Happy 2012!

Excerpt from "Rabbi Ben Ezra" by Robert Browning

But I need, now as then,
Thee, God, who mouldest men;
And since, not even while the whirl was worst,
Did I—to the wheel of life
With shapes and colours rife,
Bound dizzily,—mistake my end, to slake Thy thirst:

So, take and use Thy work,
Amend what flaws may lurk,
What strain o' the stuff, what warpings past the
aim!
My times be in Thy hand!
Perfect the cup as planned!
Let age approve of youth, and death complete
the same!