Resolutions

December, last year:
Just before the cheers went up,
She put down the final dot.
The rules glared up from their place on her lap;
But break them, she would not.
-She would keep her friends nearer;
-She would control her temper;
-She would love her family dearer;
-She would not lie or slander;
-Everyday, she would wake up earlier.
With a great sense of optimism,
She looked forward to coming days.
Sure of the success of her vision,
She basked in the New Year’s embrace.

June, this year:
She angrily crumples the paper
That used to be stuck on her mirror;
That used to announce her failure
To keep to her once-simple rules.
-Her friends are simply irritating;
-Her anger needs little provocation;
-Her family she would gladly give as a long-term loan;
-Her mouth and ears have minds of their own;
-Ten minutes after the alarm, deeper down the covers she goes.
Disheartened, she plops down on her bed,
Ticking off the rules she couldn’t follow to the letter.
Devising various compromises in her head,
She vows, “Next year will be better”.