Committing to Will

I will not, as some do, disappear myself

  in a slow folding in. And I will not dismantle myself

  with drugs and bad habits. I will follow the news

  and keep current with the latest medical advice.

  But I will not be lured by passing fads. And I will

  not confuse the grand possible achievement with

  its more likely modest cousin.  I will tame my mind

  to model excitement-in-repose, like a hungry but

  obedient dog at meal time.  I will definitely not be

  the dangerous carousel wheel sprung loose and rolling

  down a hill.  Nor will I be the merry-go-round moving

  much too fast that will not stop. Rather, I will seek

  for both a clarity and a calm that seem improbable 

  but that may not be.  My heart, schooled by adversities,

  will wear its best smile whatever the result.