Poem 1 — 100 Days of Poetry
About the Poem:
The Old Year by John Clare reflects on the passage of time and the quiet disappearance of the old year into "nothingness and night." Clare’s poignant imagery captures the fleeting nature of time and the sense of loss that accompanies the end of a year, while also expressing gratitude for the year that has passed.
John Clare (1793–1864) was an English poet renowned for his vivid descriptions of rural life and the natural world. The Old Year exemplifies his ability to transform simple moments into profound reflections on life and time.
The Old Year by John Clare
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 neighbour'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.
My Reflections on the Poem:
In recording The Old Year, I was moved by Clare’s subtle yet powerful reflection on the passage of time. It is a beautiful reminder that, while we often let time slip by unnoticed, there is always something to be learned from what has passed.
This post is part of my 100 Days of Poetry series, where I embarked on a journey to record and share 100 poems over 100 days in 2017. Although the series was interrupted, I’m delighted to continue sharing these timeless works with you.
