Once again an old year fades
Like a spinster pulls the shades
Seals the hope chest
Quits the life quest
Joins the row of sere old maids

Seasons lost without recall
Spring and summer crushed by fall
Now the autumn
Having fought them
Dies as winter conquers all

Chances that we never took
Would-be friends that we forsook
Love unspoken
Contracts broken
All without a backward look

Rumor is a new year comes
Even while the old one numbs
Hard believing
While still grieving
Dust upon unbeaten drums

Lehua
©January, 2003