One longitude Ago

Ew.
I'm older again.
Older-ish.
And unlike past years
This one seems different.
I should be wiser, better, stronger.
I should know more, do more, be more, understand more
And I don't.
And while I'm reserved in knowing the path of mistakes I'm about to take
Riddles with obstacles I have to face by myself now-
I'm oddly up for the challenge,
Realizing I'm no different than I was a longitude ago.
I'm still an aspiring writer.
I'm still a total night owl (I'm writing this at 1am)
Still a procrastinator (I'm writing this instead of doing homework)
Still a chatterbox (yes, I'm talking to myself)
Still very curious (I wonder where the word 'chatterbox' came from?)
Still fascinated by everything (It came about in the 1770's!)
And still not quite ready to face my new number head on, in fire and wax. 
Again.
But I will.
It might blind me but I'll do it.
It might burn me but I'll endure it.
​It might bite me but I'll learn. 
The heavy blanket wracked with new responsibilities
Will be placed around my shoulders,
enveloping my heart and my head.
Its downy feathers brushing the floor. 
New things to try, be, have, own, want, need.
I will become, already be, have always been - myself.
And I'm scared,
And I'm eager,
Each flame a gift of life, to not be spent unwisely
And I'm hesitantly happy to blow out the candles this year
I am ready for this new chapter, the part two, the next installment
To be older-ish
Wiser-like
Braver- kinda.
And ready.
(​mostly)