Poem: The Old Year

The Old Year’s gone away

  To nothingness and night: 

We cannot find him all the day 

  Nor hear him in the night: 

He left no footstep, mark or place 

  In 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 see 

Have more of substance when they’re here 

  And 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 away 

  No voices can recall: 

The eve of New Year’s Day
  Left the Old Year lost to all.

-John Clare 1793–1864-

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Matrics: Good luck for the NSC exams

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In Welkom se hart, 'n bastion van leer,
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A forge of minds, a crucible of skill,
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Hoër Tegniese Skool Welkom, a source of pride and cheer,
Where knowledge and skills are honed year after year.
An army of eager, enthusiastic youth,
Are prepared here to conquer the world with truth.