ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

The New Year

© Stephen Whiteside 01.01.2012

This morning I went for a walk down our street.
I met an old man who had knobbly feet.
His two legs were bandy. One eye had a cast.
His general look said his best days were past.

I nonetheless hailed him with hope and good cheer,
And asked him his name. He said, "I'm the New Year!"
I said, "With respect, if I may be so bold.
You do not look new, sir. In fact, you look old."

"You should see the others," he chuckled to me.
"They're battered and ruined and tire easily.
You don't want an infant or reckless young lout.
I may not look much, but I'll see the job out."

We walked side by side for a mile - perhaps two.
I can't say for sure, because time fairly flew.
At last I peeled off, but my heels had wings.
It's been a few hours, yet still my heart sings.

He's not new at all. He is old. He is worn,
Yet somehow he's marked me. I'm feeling re-born.
My body feels supple. My mind is quite clear.
We barely have met, but I like the New Year!

Onya Stephen


If not new, but old - why wearing a nappy?
and gee what's that smell? The New Year looks happy.
Enjoy the New Year - live wild and live fast . . .
If the Mayan's correct, it could be the last.

Cheers, Marty

Happy New Year Marty,

I heard a good explanation of why the Myan calendar ends at 2012.... it is because they ran out of space on the stone.

and my son-in -law said.. I wouldn't worry too much about a prediction, or calculation, from a culture who couldn't work out that the thing they made their calendar on was a wheel. (they didn't use the wheel for transport but had many circular carvings)

Love it Stephen (and Marty). Happy New Year to you both..

Heather

Good use of metaphor Stephen. A lot of optimism there, let's hope it is vindicated.

Thanks Marty, Heather, Neville. You pulled me up a bit with your comment, Neville. I suppose it's just natural to start the new year with optimism. It feels so, anyway - it's in the air. But you're right, of course, strictly speaking. It's just another day, and it's just another year, and it will have its ups and downs like all the other years, and in all likelihood will turn out very much like all the other years. Still, it's nice to start the year with a bit of a lift, and it doesn't cost anything - and it's a public holiday after all, and the worst day not working is better than the best day working. That's probably at the heart of it all!

Happy New Year to you all,

I suppose that the whole concept of time, days, months and even years is an invention of man. (Why must we count everything?) Beside the usual seasonal rotation, we don't really need to know which year it is. And it is, as we all know, defined by who is doing the counting.

I love it Stephen, it lifts the soul.
Your right Zondrae, why do we count day's? Just go out there and enjoy while you can. All the best everyone for 2012.

Cheers
Sue

Bewdy Stephen! Happeee New Year mate...

Thanks Sue, Glenny, and I hope you both have a wonderful year in 2012.