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New Year’s Resolution

a villanelle

by David Whippman

And what have you resolved for the new year?
I guarantee your vows will be in vain.
Oh, I don’t doubt that right now you’re sincere.

But soon, your good intentions disappear.
Just as it’s happened time and time again.
So what have you resolved for the new year?

Right now, your willpower’s shining bright and clear.
But soon it will be flowing down the drain
though I don’t doubt that right now you’re sincere.

But it will be so hard to persevere.
You will be tempted till you’re half insane.
Now what have you resolved for the new year?

For all too soon, temptation will be here.
Poor fool! Your will could never stand the strain
though I don’t doubt that right now you’re sincere.

A brand-new start? Forgive me if I sneer.
Your high ideas? Already on the wane.
But what have you resolved for the new year?
Oh, I don’t doubt that right now you’re sincere.

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New Year’s Resolution

a villanelle

by Evan Mantyk

The New Year brings with it a gleaming hope
That lights the way into a better place;
But first, with faith you have to grasp the rope

And climb up days’ and months’ increasing slope
While sticking to a steady long-term pace—
The New Year brings with it a gleaming hope.

Be clear and focused like a telescope
That sees what’s true within a grander space;
But first, with faith you have to grasp the rope.

In times like these it can be hard to cope
With little daily challenges we face.
The New Year brings with it a gleaming hope.

Imagine Martin Luther were made pope,
And wretched debts were now transformed by grace;
But first, with faith you have to grasp the rope

The Creator has scrubbed clean with rose-tinged soap
And made for hands to perfectly embrace.
The New Year brings with it a gleaming hope,
But first, with faith you have to grasp the rope.

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The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary.


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16 Responses

  1. Paul Buchheit

    A couple of good villanelles! Failed resolutions ahead, but maybe with a little faith and hope, we can persist for awhile. (Let’s hope.)

    Reply
    • David Whippman

      I have to agree with you, Michael. Evan’s poem is the perfect answer to mine, which is admittedly cynical. But maybe life makes us all a little cynical.

      Reply
  3. Paul Freeman

    If I may add my voice:

    When New Year comes we often say,
    we’ll cease overeating each day;
    we’ll also nix ale,
    and smoking, but fail
    at keeping temptation at bay.

    However, we can still try!

    Reply
    • Paul Freeman

      They keep on coming:

      Come New Year’s Day maybe we dream
      of cutting out cookies and cream;
      and if we evolve
      an inner resolve
      with luck we don’t run out of steam.

      Here’s hoping.

      Thanks for the reads David and Evan, and paraphrasing Tiny Tim: Happy New Year, everyone!

      Reply
  4. Jeff Eardley

    Evan, two great pieces for today. David’s is so true. Your villanelle is most enjoyable. Thank you for your efforts to bring so many fabulous wordsmiths to our attention, and for your excellent artworks.
    Best wishes to you and yours for a happy new year.

    Reply
  5. James Sale

    Really enjoyed both these poems and they come at just the right time! Ah, resolutions! My favourite line is: ‘Imagine Martin Luther were made pope,’ – that really takes the biscuit! Well done both.

    Reply
  6. Satyananda Sarangi

    These are great poems in the way they convey everything about resolutions.

    SCP – such a lovely place everytime, every single time.

    New Year wishes to all!

    Reply
  7. Russel Winick

    Good stuff, both. Thanks! For this year I resolve to grasp the rope.

    Reply
  8. Norma Pain

    Thank you David and Evan for these two inspirational villanelle’s. I resolve to try my hand at a villanelle one day soon. Also, thank you to SCP for this amazing venue and best wishes for 2023.

    Reply

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