Old Year's Night Poem by Alistair Graham

My hand to the rail now, grip it tight
in the dying minutes of Old Year's Night
I'll think of the future, think of the past...
hold those thoughts, nailed to the mast

I'll be mindful of things left undone
done deeds I should have left alone
I'll not though dwell for many an hour
the past and future are way off far

I'll never live anytime but now
though I've spent a lifetime trying how
Nothing exists but the present moment
no more life of perpetual postponement

I'll gather my loved ones in my heart
hold them close as I prepare to start
another four seasons in the New Year
I'll deem what's important; hold it dear

I'll watch people count down the time
the cheers, the whistles, the Auld Lang Syne
the smiles on faces, the linking arms
the wish for no one to come to harm

While harm can be hurt and hurt can be pain
I'll remember that nothing stays the same
If nothing changed, not the sea nor the sky
nothing or nobody would ever die

I'll think of the plants, the flowers and the trees
the butterflies, the frogs, the birds and the bees
Out of the earth they came forth in glory
back into the earth is the truth of the story

It's never too late to start life again
I'll reincarnate now, I won't stay the same
Of impermanent matter, I'll let go my grip
there's no known mooring, my life is a ship

My hand to the rail now, eyes closed tight
in the dying minutes of Old Year's Night
I'll not live in the future or in the past
I'll cherish each moment, live life at last