Kevin Hulme

The New Year

The Infant New Year stands in the Doorway 

For  all the World, fresh faced and Innocent. 

Tightly Clutched in his eager little hand;

A Lunchbox daubed with Olaf from \'Frozen\';

And Pen, Pencils, Exercise Book  ready 

For the Journal of Days to be Noted.

A Ruler for measuring Times quick feet;

And a Clean Handkerchief neatly folded -

For there will be many a scraped knee; felt;

Or the Running Stream of Joyous Salt Tears.

How small he looks and unwary of strife ;

To the Rough and Tumble of Times harsh school ;

With the long days journey from Child to Man;

Naive dreams to Realitys waking.

For that was once me in a Lightning Blink;

Starting my Education with bright eyes:

\'One day at a time with the falling Sand\'.

Those guiding Words of my Father still clear.

Oh! Such are the thoughts of his aged Parent;

Now tired and Weary and ready to Rest;

And  Wizened and Deep grey with Creaking Bones

Ready to join his Ancestors long dead.