New Year's Day

By Joseph McGowan

Another year has come to pass
And as I grow older they seem to come and go so fast.
For it seems just like yesterday that I was back in school
Teasing girls and acting like a fool.
Spring days when nature broke free
Of a long, cold winter’s lock
Skipping school and skipping rocks
Running free without a care
Down at the tree fort where girls beware.
Sleeping out looking up at the stars
Yet too long for girls and cars
See, all that really mattered to me were
Fishing poles and bows and arrows
Catching frogs, snakes and sparrows.
Bicycles, baseball cards and caps
Hawk swings and treasure maps
Climbing trees down at the swimming hole
Spring had broken pushing aside the cold.
To grow up, we just couldn’t wait
For, to be a man seemed so far away.
But for a man, child, you soon would be
Longing for your childhood memories.
Now a man, you pass the woods where you would play
But you don’t stop, for there just isn’t enough time in the day.
And the swimming hole, it’s since run dry
Times have to change but you still don’t know why.
I guess we’re all just part of a grand scheme
And maybe things are meant to be.
And as I sit thinking that nothing lasts
Another year has come to pass.

Copyright© 2006