It's the week before Christmas, almost closing the book
On the twelve months gone by, so let's give it a look
A year like a mine field, you had to watch where you stepped
You shuffled or jumped, you laughed or you wept
There was mayhem and uproar, only the venues did change
Some were expected, others were new and were strange
So let's get to the details, see what killed and what hid
See what hit the heights and what hit the skids
There were sideshows and warmups, but in the center of the ring
The US vote dominated winter, summer and spring
A debate, a shooting, but when fall ended the stump
The country moved to the right, the edge went to Trump
The White House was flipped, the Senate as well
Yet when the counting was done the House had the same smell
The country has spoken, the direction seems clear
Let's blow it all up, the place needs a slap on the rear
It brought big grins in some places, despair in some more
While many are waiting to see how it gets scored
All three branches together, the dog got the bus
Now what will they do, will there be cheering or fuss?
While all of that drama took over the room
In the world around things kept going boom
In Ukraine and the Mid East, conflicts upping the score
Haiti in chaos, Syria has new chapter in store
The climate was changing, with storms that got worse
The hottest summer on record, many places were cursed
Flooding in Europe, twisters in the Midwest
Hurricanes in the south, Mother Nature a mess
Putin was re-elected, no surprise from that place
While Mexico put a woman at the top of their space
After 14 years the Tories were election deprived
While Modi was the winner of a third term of five
In Baltimore a bridge came crashing on down
While Wall Street sent the Dow Jones out on the town
Charles had cancer, an eclipse stopped the show
Caitlin broke Pistol Pete's record, France staged an Olympic tableau
The Chiefs won again, the Celts did the same
The Dodgers and Panthers won trophies and fame
And while Barbie in pink was a box office threat
It was Oppe in black for the gold statuette
Taylor sang all of her Eras, by the thousands they came
LeBron played with Bronny, the first in a game
Tech broke new ground, hallucinations aside
In pics, words and everything, the word was AI
As always, some departed who lived in fine form
Chita Rivera, Charles Osgood, David Sanborn
Quincy Jones, Terri Garr, Bob Newhart, Jerry West
James Earl Jones, Willie Mays, just some of the best
As to the New Year, well, there's lots to digest
Will it work out for the better, or will it be just a mess?
Each half thinks they're righteous, the others are nuts
We all have to cool down, and get out of our ruts
Aim for healthy and happy, and friends by your side
That way whatever gets dished out you can take it in stride
So from my place to yours, to all in your hive
Peace, love and happiness and a stellar ‘25
-END-
Marc Wollin of Bedford thanks all for spending some time in this space. His column appears weekly via email and online on Blogspot and Substack as well as Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
