A Holiday Message

Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the town,
Not a smile was in sight, not even a frown;
The people were masked as they shopped with care,
In hopes that Covid would never be there;
The children were online with their computer at home,
While visions of real school were lost in Google Chrome;
And mamma at her table, and me at my bench,
Were struggling not to be like the old green Grinch,
When out on the driveway there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to the door to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the blinds and threw up the sash.
The recycling truck with all its automation,
Was lifting our cans without reservation,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a CNN broadcast so loud and clear,
A new variant Omicron had arrived on the scene,
And at least, initially, looks to be really mean,
More rapid than eagles the WHO jumped in,
And even more fear and precautions must begin;
“Now, Fauchi! now, CDC! now, Congress and Biden!
On, FDA! on, Pfizer! on, Moderna and shots my arm in!
To the top of the newscast! to the top of the page!
Now worry! worry! Fuel my rage!
As we face another wave of the pandemic,
It’s serious, so drop the polemic,
So take a breath and buckle up for what’s coming,
Spread good cheer and break through the grumbling.
We’re all tired, stressed and on edge,
But let’s all stop and make a holiday pledge,
To love each other in spite of the distance,
To talk together in spite of resistance.
And most of all, learn to smile with our eyes in spite of the mask.