Today I buried Papa in the ground,
Next to Mama, and my brother John;
For old time's sake, and one last look around,
Before my long and lonely ride back home,
...
Arriving silent, scarcely noticed.
It swoops with ebony wings
Upon the towns and villages;
It dominates the countryside,
...
At the midnight hour
The Old Year
Drifts into history
On the cold Illinois mist,
...