Resolutions

 Each New Year's Eve I used to brood
On my misdoings of the past,
And vowed: "This year I'll be so good -
Well, haply better than the last.
"
My record of reforms I read
To Mum who listened sweetly to it:
"Why plan all this, my son?" she said;
 "Just do it.
"

Of her wise words I've often thought -
Aye, sometimes with a pang of pain,
When resolutions come to naught,
And high resolves are sadly vain;
The human heart from failure bleeds;
Hopes may be wrecked so that we rue them .
 .
 .

Don't let us dream of lovely deeds -
 Just do them.


And so, my son, uphold your pride.

Believe serenely in your soul.

Just take things in a steady stride,
Until behold! you've gained your goal.

But if, perchance, you frame a plan
Of conduct, let it be a free one:
Don't try to make yourself a man -
 Just be one.

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