A Toast to the New Year

[Knot]

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Hi Dale.

It is the difference between "let us hold hands" and "may we hold hands".

Indeed, to me one is an imperative, the other a hope. Both have merit, I think.

the transitory nature of life.

Isn't that a given, especially on New Year.? What else might the toast (of the title) be marking, if not that?

"of" is referencing "stone",

OK (did not get that). What 'misled' me was the enjambment (and the comma). Actually is still does. let us leave no unturned stone could be read as
'let us do all we can' (as opposed to 'stone' being a (metaphorically confusing) 'weight' and 'turned' being understood as to 'unburden').

of/for sins to others, let's now atone, - seems a separate/independent clause.

Best, Knot.

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