First Things First

It’s not that I think resolutions are a waste of time.
Of course I know we mean well
when we pen them carefully,
making sure they are measurable and achievable,
hiding them in safe places:
the fridge, perhaps,
or a Post-It on the mirror.
But first things first.
Let’s each of us give our current mess its due.
The procrastination, those pesky pounds,
that ex we swore we’d never see again,
bad habits and worse guilt -
send shame packing and love that mess
for just a minute.
Go ahead.
Laugh at its jokes. Make eye contact.
Treat it like you’d treat a first date,
with kindness and an open mind.
Don’t let your current mess know
you’re about to dump it for a Post-It.
And after you familiarize yourself
with its quirks and careful need to impress,
its honest veiled desires, after you really see it,
kiss it on the cheek and let it go.
Get out your pen and your Post-It.
But first things first.