26 Inspirational and Short Happy New Year Poems 2024

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A start to a New Year brings new beginnings and a fresh start, even if the last 365 days haven’t been the best year for you.

With New Year’s resolutions in the back of our minds, and a sense of hopefulness of what ‘could be’ as we greet New Year’s Day, may we always work towards good times and better days.

These short New Year poems are a perfect reminder of the importance of self-reflection and growth as we enter into a new year.

You may use these short poems as a study of the complexities of each year, or as inspiration to write your own poetry.

However you choose to spend your New Years day, may these short New Year poems bring a sense of joy and purpose as we welcome the new year together.

26 Inspirational and Short Happy New Year Poems 2024

The New Year’s poems you’ll find on this list are original works of art or are in the public domain.

Classic Poems For The Upcoming Year

Auld Lang Syne

By Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne.

We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint stowp!

And surely I’ll be mine!

And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes,

And pou’d the gowans fine;

But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,

Sin’ auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,

Frae morning sun till dine;

But seas between us braid hae roar’d

Sin’ auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand, my trusty fere!

And gie’s a hand o’ thine!

And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waught,

For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne.

We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

From A Poem for Every Night of the Year

In Memoriam, [RING OUT, WILD BELLS]

By Aldred, Lord Tennyson

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,

The flying cloud, the frosty light:

The year is dying in the night;

Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind

For those that here we see no more;

Ring out the feud of rich and poor,

Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,

And ancient forms of party strife;

Ring in the nobler modes of life,

With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,

The faithless coldness of the times;

Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes

But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love of truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;

Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

Ring out the thousand wars of old,

Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,

The larger heart, the kindlier hand;

Ring out the darkness of the land,

Ring in the Christ that is to be.

A Song for New Year’s Eve

By William Cullen Bryant

Stay yet, my friends, a moment stay—

Stay till the good old year,

So long companion of our way,

Shakes hands, and leaves us here.

Oh stay, oh stay,

One little hour, and then away.

The year, whose hopes were high and strong,

Has now no hopes to wake;

Yet one hour more of jest and song

For his familiar sake.

Oh stay, oh stay,

One mirthful hour, and then away.

The kindly year, his liberal hands

Have lavished all his store.

And shall we turn from where he stands,

Because he gives no more?

Oh stay, oh stay,

One grateful hour, and then away.

Days brightly came and calmly went,

While yet he was our guest;

How cheerfully the week was spent!

How sweet the seventh day’s rest!

Oh stay, oh stay,

One golden hour, and then away.

Dear friends were with us, some who sleep

Beneath the coffin-lid:

What pleasant memories we keep

Of all they said and did!

Oh stay, oh stay,

One tender hour, and then away.

Even while we sing, he smiles his last,

And leaves our sphere behind.

The good old year is with the past;

Oh be the new as kind!

Oh stay, oh stay,

One parting strain, and then away.

New Years Poems When Time Flies

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.

Famous Poems For The Beginning of a New Year

Archaic Torso of Apollo

By Rainer Maria Rilke

We cannot know his incredible head,

where the eyes ripened like apples,

yet his torso still glows like a candelabrum,

from which his gaze, however dimmed,

still persists and gleams. If this were not so,

the bow of his breast could not blind you,

nor could a smile, steered by the gentle curve

of his loins, glide to the centre of procreation.

And this stone would seem disfigured and stunted,

the shoulders descending into nothing,

unable to glisten like a predator’s pelt,

or burst out from its confines and radiate

like a star: for there is no angle from which

it cannot see you. You have to change your life.

New Year’s Morning

By Helen Hunt Jackson

Only a night from old to new!

Only a night, and so much wrought!

The Old Year’s heart all weary grew,

But said: “The New Year rest has brought.”

The Old Year’s hopes its heart laid down,

As in a grave; but, trusting, said:

“The blossoms of the New Year’s crown

Bloom from the ashes of the dead.”

The Old Year’s heart was full of greed;

With selfishness it longed and ached,

And cried: “I have not half I need.

My thirst is bitter and unslaked.

But to the New Year’s generous hand

All gifts in plenty shall return;

True love it shall understand;

By all my failures it shall learn.

I have been reckless; it shall be

Quiet and calm and pure of life.

I was a slave; it shall go free,

And find sweet peace where I leave strife.”

Only a night from old to new!

Never a night such changes brought.

The Old Year had its work to do;

No New Year miracles are wrought.

Always a night from old to new!

Night and the healing balm of sleep!

Each morn is New Year’s morn come true,

Morn of a festival to keep.

All nights are sacred nights to make

Confession and resolve and prayer;

All days are sacred days to wake

New gladness in the sunny air.

Only a night from old to new;

Only a sleep from night to morn.

The new is but the old come true;

Each sunrise sees a new year born.

A New Year’s Eve in War Time

By Thomas Hardy

I

Phantasmal fears,

And the flap of the flame,

And the throb of the clock,

And a loosened slate,

And the blind night’s drone,

Which tiredly the spectral pines intone!

II

And the blood in my ears

Strumming always the same,

And the gable-cock

With its fitful grate,

And myself, alone.

III

The twelfth hour nears

Hand-hid, as in shame;

I undo the lock,

And listen, and wait

For the Young Unknown.

IV

In the dark there careers —

As if Death astride came

To numb all with his knock —

A horse at mad rate

Over rut and stone.

V

No figure appears,

No call of my name,

No sound but ‘Tic-toc’

Without check. Past the gate

It clatters — is gone.

VI

What rider it bears

There is none to proclaim;

And the Old Year has struck,

And, scarce animate,

The New makes moan.

VII

Maybe that ‘More Tears! —

More Famine and Flame —

More Severance and Shock!’

Is the order from Fate

That the Rider speeds on

To pale Europe; and tiredly the pines intone.

Burning The Old Year

By Naomi Shihab Nye

Letters swallow themselves in seconds.

Notes friends tied to the doorknob,

transparent scarlet paper,

sizzle like moth wings,

marry the air.

So much of any year is flammable,

lists of vegetables, partial poems.

Orange swirling flame of days,

so little is a stone.

Where there was something and suddenly isn’t,

an absence shouts, celebrates, leaves a space.

I begin again with the smallest numbers.

Quick dance, shuffle of losses and leaves,

only the things I didn’t do

crackle after the blazing dies

Old and New Year Ditties

By Christina Rossetti

New Year met me somewhat sad:

Old Year leaves me tired,

Stripped of favorite things I had,

Balked of much desired:

Yet farther on my road to-day,

God willing, farther on my way.

New Year coming on apace

What have you to give me?

Bring you scathe, or bring you grace,

Face me with an honest face;

You shall not deceive me:

Be it good or ill, be it what you will,

It needs shall help me on my road,

My rugged way to heaven, please God.

2.

Watch with me, men, women, and children dear,

You whom I love, for whom I hope and fear,

Watch with me this last vigil of the year.

Some hug their business, some their pleasure-scheme;

Some seize the vacant hour to sleep or dream;

Heart locked in heart some kneel and watch apart.

Watch with me, blessed spirits, who delight

All through the holy night to walk in white,

Or take your ease after the long-drawn fight.

I know not if they watch with me: I know

They count this eve of resurrection slow,

And cry, “How long?” with urgent utterance strong.

Watch with me, Jesus, in my loneliness:

Though others say me nay, yet say Thou yes;

Though others pass me by, stop Thou to bless.

Yea, Thou dost stop with me this vigil night;

To-night of pain, to-morrow of delight:

I, Love, am Thine; Thou, Lord, my God, art mine.

3.

Passing away, saith the World, passing away:

Chances, beauty and youth sapped day by day:

Thy life never continueth in one stay.

Is the eye waxen dim, is the dark hair changing to gray

That hath won neither laurel nor bay?

I shall clothe myself in Spring and bud in May:

Thou, root-stricken, shalt not rebuild thy decay

On my bosom for aye.

Then I answered: Yea.

Passing away, saith my Soul, passing away:

With its burden of fear and hope, of labor and play;

Hearken what the past doth witness and say:

Rust in thy gold, a moth is in thine array,

A canker is in thy bud, thy leaf must decay.

At midnight, at cock-crow, at morning, one certain day

Lo, the Bridegroom shall come and shall not delay:

Watch thou and pray.

Then I answered: Yea.

Passing away, saith my God, passing away:

Winter passeth after the long delay:

New grapes on the vine, new figs on the tender spray,

Turtle calleth turtle in Heaven’s May.

Though I tarry, wait for Me, trust Me, watch and pray.

Arise, come away, night is past, and lo it is day,

My love, My sister, My spouse, thou shalt hear Me say.

Then I answered: Yea.

More Famous New Year Poems

Midnight Chimes

By Tamela Lynne

Alone as always,

Night after night.

I’m still waiting around

For Mr. Right.

The sun set before me,

And it will rise just the same.

As the two of us continue

Our little game.

Chime one–

The night’s almost done;

Morning approaches

And I am alone.

Chime two–

Still dreaming of you;

Morning draws closer

And I am alone.

Chime three–

Still just me;

Morning approaches

And I am alone.

Chime four–

I’ve locked the door;

Morning draws closer

And I am alone.

Chime five–

Amazed I’ve survived;

Morning approaches

And I am alone.

Chime six–

The clock still tics;

Morning draws closer

And I am alone.

Chime seven–

Searching for heaven;

Morning approaches

And I am alone.

Chime eight–

It must be fate;

Morning draws closer

And I am alone.

Chime nine–

Running out of time;

Morning approaches

And I am alone.

Chime ten–

Still asking when;

Morning draws closer

And I am alone.

Chime eleven–

Still searching for heaven;

Morning approaches

And I am alone.

Chime twelve–

The ending bell;

Morning draws closer

And I am alone.

I Pack My Trunk

By: Amos R. Wells

What shall I pack up to carry

From the old year to the new?

I’ll leave out the frets that harry,

Thoughts unjust and doubts untrue.

Angry words–ah, how I rue them!

Selfish deeds and choices blind;

Any one is welcome to them!

I shall leave them all behind.

Plans? the trunk would need be double.

Hopes? they’d burst the stoutest lid.

Sharp ambitions? last year’s stubble!

Take them, old year! Keep them hid!

All my fears shall be forsaken,

All my failures manifold;

Nothing gloomy shall be taken

To the new year from the old.

But I’ll pack the sweet remembrance

Of dear Friendship’s least delight;

All my jokes–I’ll carry them hence;

All my store of fancies bright;

My contentment–would ’twere greater!

All the courage I possess;

All my trust–there’s not much weight there!

All my faith, or more, or less;

All my tasks; I’ll not abandon

One of these–nay pride, my health;

Every trivial or grand one

Is a noble mine of wealth.

And I’ll pack my choicest treasures:

Smiles I’ve seen and praises heard,

Memories of unselfish pleasures,

Cheery looks, the kindly word.

Ah, my riches silence cavil!

To my rags I bid adieu!

Like a Croesus I shall travel

From the old year to the new!

Short Poems For A Better New Year

A New Year, a Fresh Start

A new year, a fresh start, that’s what we all need.

To wipe away the past and to take on the future with speed.

Let us forget all the troubles of last year, and look forward to a brighter and better one this year!

A Year of Hope

This New Year will be the perfect time,

To turn our lives around.

The present will be gone and past,

And the future will be found.

We’ll make some resolutions,

And maybe break a few.

But when all is said and done,

Our hopes will carry us through.

So let’s raise a glass to this new year,

With hope and cheer in sight.

For anything is possible,

In this brand new year, so bright!

A Year of Love

Dear friend, let’s focus on the good times we had this past year,

And carry them into the new one, without any fear.

With love in our hearts, we’ll conquer every day,

And make this year better than the last, in every single way!

A Year of Growth

My good news for you is a new dawn, dear friend.

A fresh start and renewed hope for you to mend.

Take this new year as an opportunity to grow,

And leave behind any struggles that bring you low.

Believe in yourself and all that you can be,

For this new year is yours, just wait and see!

A Year of Adventure

This New Year calls for a little adventure,

To step out of our comfort zone and take a venture.

Let’s try new things, explore uncharted lands,

And create memories that will forever stand.

For life is an adventure waiting to be discovered,

And this year is the perfect time for it to be uncovered!

A Year of Possibilities

In the coming days, as we start anew,

Let’s open our hearts to all that is possible and true.

No dream is too big, no goal too far,

For this year, dear master, you are the star!

So go out there and make your mark,

For with hard work and determination, anything is within your spark!

New Year Poetry

The New Year brings with it a fresh start,

A chance to mend and heal our hearts.

With every passing second, we have the power,

To create a new world within our own little bower.

So let’s raise our voices, and dance in glee,

For this year is ours, just wait and see!

It’s time to leave behind all worries and fears,

And embrace the New Year with open arms, my dear.

With every step we take, we’ll grow and learn,

And make this year a magical journey, without any concern.

So let’s welcome the New Year with hope and joy,

For it brings endless possibilities for us to employ.

May this new year bring you love and light,

And guide you towards what feels right.

May your dreams come true and your heart sing,

As you embark on this new beginning.

Remember, my dear, that every day is a chance,

To create a life that makes you dance!

So here’s to the New Year, and all it has in store,

Let’s make it an adventure worth living for!

Short Christmas Poems

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap—

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child!

Holy Infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow

In a one horse open sleigh

O’er the fields we go

Laughing all the way

Bell’s ringing making spirits bright

What fun it is to ride and sing

A sleighing song tonight!

The First Noel

The first Noel the angel did say

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay:

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas We wish you a Merry Christmas And a Happy New Year!

Funny New Year Poems

Old Memories of New Year’s Resolutions

Ah, a clean calendar upon entering of the New Year,

A chance to start anew without any fear.

But as the days go by, we begin to see,

That those resolutions were not meant to be.

We swore we’d exercise and eat healthy food,

But with every passing day, our cravings intrude.

We promised to save money and spend less,

But that new dress was just too hard to resist.

And so we find ourselves, once again,

Breaking those resolutions without much pain.

But fear not my friend, for it’s all okay,

We’ll try again next year, in the same old way.

An Old Mind’s Burden of the Year

A very happy new year they said as they clinked their glasses,

But little did they know, this old mind of mine still passes.

I try to remember the year that just passed,

But it’s all a blur, my memory won’t last.

Did we travel with a clean slate in our books?

Did we meet new friends who complimented our dashing looks?

Or was it just another year that ends?

Without a great time spent without family and friends?

It’s less of bunions, regrets, and remorse

But more of just a year, without a clear course.

But still I smile and raise my glass,

For life’s too short to dwell on the past.

Here’s to another year filled with mist and haze,

May we all enjoy it in our own unique ways!

Reflection on the Past Year

As we say goodbye to another year gone by,

Let’s take a moment to reflect and sigh.

It’s time to put away our great work,

Including all the time we spent in our online research.

From family members’ drama to meetings at the office,

We’ve had our fair share of chaos and promise.

But through it all, we made it through,

With laughter, tears, and some chocolate too.

So let’s raise a glass to all that we’ve achieved,

And cheers to the things we still have yet to believe.

As you look forward to celebrating New Year’s night with your loved ones, let these short poems be a reminder of the new hope a New Year’s Day can bring to everyone.

May this coming year bring you so much happiness, good fortune, and prosperity.

And may these New Years Eve poems fill your mind and heart with good things!

Have a happy year, friend.

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