The Poetry Show: The Old Year Out

    Enlighten Radio Presents

 

"The eve of New Year's Day -- Left the Old Year lost to all"

 

 

Poets John Clare, Richard Wilbur, Edward Hays, Howard Thurman take us out with mixed feelings Broadcast LIVE Wednesdays, 10 AM on https://player.enlightenradio.org Hosts: Janet Harrison, John Case This Episode Recorded 12/27/2023

he Old Year J

by John Clare 1793 – 1864

 

The Old Year's gone away
    To nothingness and night:
We cannot find him all the day
    Nor hear him in the night:
He left no footstep, mark or place
    In either shade or sun:
The last year he'd a neighbor's face,
   In this he's known by none.

All nothing everywhere:
   Mists we on mornings see
Have more of substance when they're here
   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,
   Are things identified;
But time once torn away
   No voices can recall:
The eve of New Year's Day
   Left the Old Year lost to all.

This poem is in the public domain.

 

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