Observing the New Year

Solemn thoughts filled his mind
as the day’s glow faded  into the west
the time of the year had come again
when Year numbers changed on the calendar

his glass filled to the brim
champagne to toast away the old
and to usher in the new
so typical of man and his ways

yet hard memories tugged
in his mind of the old
where love was loved well
and hate swept out and away

he lost his only child
to a shooting in her  school
and his wife lost her will to live
he buried her a few months later

a year gone by never returning
alone again thinking of new beginnings
not seeing the light anyway yet
he waited contented in his sorrow

he drank his champagne
emptied his bottle into his glass
as his eyes started to close
he heard the distant church bell toll

Midnight he whispered
New Year…goodnight everyone!