self improvement list

you make a list
of how you can better
yourself this year.
you get a pen,
a clean sheet of white
paper, a cup
of coffee. you
move the table
a few inches
closer to the window
for better light
and to see
the birds pecking
at the bird feeder.
then you forget
to put the clothes
in the dryer.
finally back at
your seat you stare
at the paper.
the dog starts barking
though when the mail
man comes up
the sidewalk.
the mail pops
through the slot
on the front door
and hits the floor.
you check that to
see if anyone has
died and left you a
million dollars.
nope, so back to the
table to make
your list. this
is harder than it
looks, you think.
what can I possibly
improve. maybe you
can add more fiber
to your diet. yeah.
that's going on
the list. you write
that down next to a
big number one.
hmmm. what else.
you stare
out the window at
the bird feeder.
a big fat blue
jay is bossing all
the other birds around.
finally
you surrender and ball
the paper up.
you gave it a shot.
you feel
pretty good about
things, being so
perfect.