I Hereby Resolve AGAIN from James W. Ziskin

It’s nearly four years since our lives took that big swerve into the pandemic. Has yours gone back to the same as before? Or are there new normals? Any silver linings?

My life has more or less returned to normal, albeit with some changes. For starters, during the pandemic, I went back to work. Over the past three and a half years, I’ve been teaching middle school and high school French, and I’m loving it. The kids are wonderful, and the energy keeps me active and sane.

But speaking of Covid—at the risk of jinxing myself—I’ve so far managed to dodge it. One of the habits I’ve retained from that awful time is constantly washing my hands. I also keep a can of Lysol spray on my desk at school, and I’m not afraid to use it! When I travel on a plane, I wear a mask and always wipe down the seat carefully with sanitizer. I think those are excellent practices. I confess, however, that I no longer wash my groceries.

Now, with apologies for the brevity of my comments, I’d like to reprise my New Year’s tradition of posting my resolutions. For your reading enjoyment—once again—I give you…

I Hereby Resolve

Upon the first of Jan-u-ary each and every year

I choose a comfy cushioned chair on which to park my rear

Then taking pencil, pen, or plume I think with all my might

About my life, my hopes, my dreams, and then begin to write

I make a note of all my flaws, my missteps, and my sins

And number them from one to ten and sort them into bins:

A catalogue of wishes, goals, and changes to achieve,

To lose some weight, to write more books, and royalties receive!

But not all thoughts are for myself, I also have a heart

So I resolve to do some good, pitch in, and play my part,

To be a better person and to help human-i-tee,

Or maybe just be satisfied to keep my san-i-tee

For all in all you must admit that things are not so good

At home, abroad, in Baltimore, and in your neighborhood

With guns and hate and politics and fears we cannot quell

It often seems we’re on a highway heading straight to hell 

But then I reason as I sit here in my pensive pose

Some things I can control and fix, so why not start with those?

My wrath, my sloth, and moods most foul are faults I could improve

Why not correct them right away? Cast out, erase, remove?

While in the past I must admit that my resolve was frail

This time my pledge is resolute; I don’t intend to fail

I vow to change, to grow, to thrive, and forge myself anew

And through hard work and sweat and blood I’ll make my dreams come true

But just in case my will is weak and my plans gang ag-ley

I’ll save this verse for twelve months more until next New Year’s Day

Then with high hopes and best intents I’ll shout for all to hear

The very same prom-is-es that I made and broke this year