WALL, Geoffrey

New Year’s Eve

“And the moon was full” Tennyson

And so the year is dying in the night,

Another moment with its hopes and fears,

Another instant with its smiles and tears

Is passing to its fellows as I write.

Perchance amidst the musical moonlight,

Across the valley of forgotten years,

Another stood; and watched the rolling spheres

That cleft the purple heavens in their flight;

And pondered on the meaning of it all:

But here the moonlit hours flow softly on

Unheeding that o’er half the world a pall

Of unthought sorrow lies; and peace is gone

From many homes; and many men must fall

Before the dawning new year dies anon.