All Except One

I had a hope-lined box, a box of resolutions;
I filled it New Year’s Eve with adamant jaw-grit resolve.
Those resolutions balked when they were placed with fervor;
I had to hold them in, then quickly close the metal lid.
Moaning, the sounds inside, as entities in capture;
yet I maintained my will, and put the box up on the shelf.

Then New Year’s Day arrived with bright shining;
a brand new year with full speed ahead.
I paid little heed to shelf with said box;
(my plan plain, and I was sly as a fox.)
The day wore on and inside I felt a feeling,
a gnawing pang as if love were spent.
I walked to and fro espying the caged
the haunting sounds of resolutions cried--
indeed, they seemed so enraged.
Setting sun (set to flee),
all except one.

Then on the second day I happened to the shelving;
I slowly raised the lid--a Hershey promise flew away.
And with the flap of free I witnessed patience fleeting;
into the morning air, a resolution spreading wings.
More was the great release, as per Pandora’s fable;
vows gushed away like wind--my countenance a blush of red.

I struggled hard to hold resolutions,
but pressure waves of freedom won out.
I pressed hard on lid with shoulders in pain;
(cigar smoke--another promise was slain.)
But then I stood tall and altered the moment;
I pushed the lid closed ‘fore all was gone.
To myself, steadfastly, I uttered, Nope!
I will not let them all fly free this day;
indeed, I captured hope.
Rising sun (great escape),
all except one.

34 Lines
Writer’s Cramp
1-3-15