5 New Year Poems That Aren't Totally Cliche

Who wants to ring in the new year with a little bit of rhyme and a little bit of rhythm? If you do, then these five New Year poems are going to be a real treat. Poetry doesn't always have to be cliche, and nor should it be. These lovely little poems prove that you don't have to have a Hallmark message to be something beautiful.

A new year can hold a range of emotions in its grasp, and more often than not, it does. While there is excitement for the new year, there can also be despair at yet another year come and gone. My advice? Always look ahead. No matter what wonderful things happened during the past year, that does not mean that better things cannot happen in the next. Let your memories remain memories to revisit time and time again, but don't let them become your focus in life.

So with that, I leave you with these new year's poems for your delight and contemplation. Open up your mind and your hearts, and let the start of a new year share all of its weight and anticipation with you. After all, the best is yet to come... is it not?

1. "The Year" — Ella Wheeler Wilcox

What can be said in New Year rhymes,That’s not been said a thousand times?The new years come, the old years go,We know we dream, we dream we know.We rise up laughing with the light,We lie down weeping with the night.We hug the world until it stings,We curse it then and sigh for wings.We live, we love, we woo, we wed,We wreathe our prides, we sheet our dead.We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,And that’s the burden of a year.

2. "The Old Year" — John Clare

The Old Year’s gone awayTo nothingness and night:We cannot find him all the dayNor hear him in the night:He left no footstep, mark or placeIn either shade or sun:The last year he’d a neighbour’s face,In this he’s known by none.

All nothing everywhere:Mists we on mornings seeHave more of substance when they’re hereAnd more of form than he.He was a friend by every fire,In every cot and hall—A guest to every heart’s desire,And now he’s nought at all.

Old papers thrown away,Old garments cast aside,The talk of yesterday,Are things identified;But time once torn awayNo voices can recall:The eve of New Year’s DayLeft the Old Year lost to all.

3. "A Brighter, Better New Year" — Joanna Fuchs

Happy, Happy New Year!We wish you all the best,Great work to reach your fondest goals,And when you’re done, sweet rest.

We hope for your fulfillment,Contentment, peace and more,A brighter, better new year thanYou’ve ever had before.

4. "The Gate of the Year" — M.L. Harkins

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’And he replied,‘Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of GodThat shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!’

5. "The Death of the Old Year" — Lord Alfred Tennyson

Full knee-deep lies the winter snow,And the winter winds are wearily sighing:Toll ye the church bell sad and slow,And tread softly and speak low,For the old year lies a-dying.Old year you must not die;You came to us so readily,You lived with us so steadily,Old year you shall not die.

Looking for more holiday cheer? Check out Bustle on YouTube.

Images: Steve Johnson, elbfoto, Jason Devaun, James Court, Rob Taylor, Patrick Emerson/Flickr