Habits

Habits have a habit,
If they’re early-on ingrained,
Of becoming who you are, a bit
Of childhood you’ve retained.

You brush your teeth a certain way;
You’re neat or you’re a slob.
Attempts to change will seem to be
Like shirking on the job.

You spend your money all at once
Or penny-wise, keep track.
You finish things before they’re due
Or let the time go slack.

You wake up late and lie in bed
Or leap before it’s light.
You like a quiet evening home
Or party every night.

Of course, a habit can be changed
But likely, once it’s stuck,
If someone tries to mend your ways,
He’ll find he’s out of luck!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Mcleod Avatar
July 9, 2015 at 7:17 PM
Very good write. Well thought out.
Duggan Avatar
June 11, 2015 at 7:15 PM
I love this Ilene and I do agree with you habits are very hard to change, they are usually with us for the rest of our lives, this is one excellent poem as all your poems are, hope you are well, take care.....Vera........
Muideen Avatar
June 11, 2015 at 3:29 PM
So very true ilene excellent write for your great insight......A.M.
Bauer Avatar
June 11, 2015 at 5:21 PM
thank you for your comment, afolabi! i appreciate it!
Johnson Avatar
June 10, 2015 at 7:52 PM
Habitually, sometimes I feel like doing what I please. Though to some's dismay, when I have my way, it seems a bit hard cheese. But life's not always wake and worry and I'm not always interested in being in a hurry.
Bauer Avatar
June 11, 2015 at 5:21 PM
hey robert! so nice to hear from you. i guess our own habits can get on other people's nerves sometimes but we all have our little quirks and people can either take us or leave us in spite of them.
Dietrich Avatar
June 10, 2015 at 6:22 PM
yes, they are SO hard to change. Kind of like dieting. Only a 1% success rate (which is why I stopped dieting. ahhaha) Can't stop biting the nails. Can't go to bed early, so I just don't give a dang any more!!
Bauer Avatar
June 11, 2015 at 5:19 PM
i guess we all have some habits we'd like to break but at some point, it isn't even worth trying anymore. thanks for the comment...
Allison Avatar
June 10, 2015 at 3:59 PM
Habits are hard to break Ilene - love the humour especially in the final stanza:-) hugs Jan xx 7
Bauer Avatar
June 11, 2015 at 5:17 PM
thank you, jan! i have a few i'd like to break, too...
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