A Poem for the New Year

At the Stroke of Midnight

 

The champagne and poppers are ready,
The family have gathered all ready,
Food and laughter pass the time away,
A brand new year is on its way.

As the night gets colder,

We realise we’re a year older,
Laugh at the memories that come to mind,
And tears come for those we left behind.

But the countdown has begun,

And Auld Lang Syne will be sung,
Hold loved ones close to your heart
For now begins a brand new start.

Only ten seconds to go,
The champagne begins to flow,
It’s not long before a new year
will finally be here.

So raise your glass,
Another year will pass,
A new era will begin tonight,
At the stroke of midnight.

National Poetry Day - 4/10/12

Events took place across the UK from readings to exhibitions to celebrate everything to do with poetry. Some of the highlights this year included the National Poetry Day Live at the South Bank Centre, and the Piccadilly lights display of Charles Causley's beautiful poem 'I Am The Song'.

National Poetry Day began in 1994 and since then has been engaging millions of people with poetry. The day certainly presents a fantastic opportunity to rekindle our love for poetry, especially if like me, you find yourself focusing far more on prose. It also provides the perfect excuse to flex those writing muscles. Every year has a different theme, and the theme this year is 'stars'. To celebrate National Poetry Day I decided to have a go...


The stars are sparkling against the dark
blue sky. The Sun has set, the Moon is high,
The stage is lit, and time is standing still.

The camera captures each perfect angle
Their flashes burst like bubbles in champagne
while shadows dance upon the scarlet floor.

The stargazers watch. But I watch for you.