35 Promises

Heat singes the flesh
And a new year blazes into being
As I make thirty-five promises
Wondering what happened
To the previous thirty-four

Losing count
I think intentionally
I blow out my candles
Thirty-five promises
Once virgin and blue
Now singed and blackened
Not a minute old
With the truth of it all
Of whatever happened
To one through thirty-four

Thirty-five promises
Baked onto my flesh
With the hope It'll be cooler
Tomorrow
Down the road
And maybe this will be
The right number
Where promises come true
Leaving to me to stand
In resolution and content
As I seek to devour
This sweetness called life...
©2011cchristopherbess