RIOT IN MY THROAT
Courtney LeBlanc
After the toasts have been made
and mouths kissed and champagne
swallowed we state our resolutions –
the usuals are all there: exercise
more, drink less (and we toast
again), save more, spend less. I can’t
voice my resolution, can’t tell my friends
and my husband that I resolve
to give you up. Only 8% of New Year’s
resolutions are kept, most fail
by February. These numbers mingle
with the champagne in my mouth.
I swallow them both, fight to keep
them down, a riot in my throat.
Cauldron Anthology
15