The Old Year's gone
To nothingness and night:
We cannot find him all the
Nor hear him in the night:
He left no footstep, mark or
In either shade or sun:
The last year he'd a neighbour's face,
In this he's known by none.
All nothing everywhere:
Mists we on mornings
Have more of substance when they're
And more of form than he.
He was a friend by every fire,
In every cot and hall -A guest to every heart's desire,
And now he's nought at all.
Old papers thrown away,
Old garments cast aside,
The talk of yesterday,
All things identified;
But times once torn
No voices can recall:
The eve of New Year's
Left the Old Year lost to all.