 | Poems of Charles Warren Stoddard . |  |
97
A RHYME OF THE OLD YEAR
Who killed the Old Year?
“I,” said Sparrow Time;
“So put me in the rhyme—
I killed the Old Year.”
“I,” said Sparrow Time;
“So put me in the rhyme—
I killed the Old Year.”
Who saw him die?
“I,” said the Morning Star;
“While watching from afar,
I saw him die.”
“I,” said the Morning Star;
“While watching from afar,
I saw him die.”
Who caught his blood?
“I,” said each Man and Maid;
“I caught a drop that will not fade,
For it is his blood.”
“I,” said each Man and Maid;
“I caught a drop that will not fade,
For it is his blood.”
Who'll weave his shroud?
“I,” said Memory;
“Of flowers fair to see
I'll weave his shroud.”
“I,” said Memory;
“Of flowers fair to see
I'll weave his shroud.”
98
Who'll dig his grave?
“I,” said Oblivion;
“For, sure, it must be done—
I'll dig his grave.”
“I,” said Oblivion;
“For, sure, it must be done—
I'll dig his grave.”
Who'll be chief mourner?
“I,” said Sad Regret;
“As I am fittest yet,
I'll be chief mourner.”
“I,” said Sad Regret;
“As I am fittest yet,
I'll be chief mourner.”
Who'll come and sing?
“We,” said Hope and Trust;
“We'll sing above his dust—
We'll come and sing.”
“We,” said Hope and Trust;
“We'll sing above his dust—
We'll come and sing.”
Who'll toll the bell?
“I,” said the Broken Heart;
“I can toll—it asks no art;
I'll toll the bell.”
“I,” said the Broken Heart;
“I can toll—it asks no art;
I'll toll the bell.”
And so the service
Is sung and said
Over the pitiful
Year that is dead.
Is sung and said
Over the pitiful
Year that is dead.
| Poems of Charles Warren Stoddard . | |