Welcome new year’s
just what we need
the old way’s not good enough anymore
I’d like to do my part
and other people’s part
to uplift one another
I promise to try my best
not to do certain things too often
and besides not to go too far
make an effort not to chew loudly
sweat
forget
owe
lose my temper
not to meddle too much
but still to engage both hands
in boosting up plenty
to be soothing daily
remember to say hello
frequently put my signature on the good
put band-aids on the bad
wave to the old
embrace the new
do one thing
stop doing the other
for a while
sure it can help
if you just turn your attention inward
as well as outward
pull weeds in your private life
as well as in the Congo
recognize your mistakes
like you recognize those of others
seize this opportunity
to make inroads
with decisions
resolutions
renunciations
you know it’s only new year’s once a year
and if you should have relapses
(we are only human
and the year is so long
the world so large
and the future so uncertain)
it won’t matter that your vows were not obeyed
if you don’t tell anyone they were made.
By Benny Andersen ©1987 “Nytårsforsӕtter”
Translated by Michael Goldman
This poem was first published in English by The Missing Slate http://themissingslate.com/2015/01/04/new-years-resolutions/
