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Letter to the Editor: A Poetic Holiday Wish

’Twas the night before Christmas in the Senate and House. 
Congress was not stirring, nor was the White House.
Lincoln’s memorial was hung with ribbons pretty, 
In hopes that great joy would come to the city.

The Supreme Court was snuggled all tight in its chamber 
With visions of legal tortes bringing great pleasure. 
Pelosi in her kerchief and Trump in his cap 
Were settling down with libations in their lap. 

When on the ellipse, there arose such a clatter!
Call Secret Service – what could be the matter?
Away to the front gates on Pennsylvania Ave. 
What’s the emergency? What crisis do we have?

 The lights of D.C. were strangely crooked and bent 
As they reflected pure light off the Monroe monument. 
Then what to my wondering eyes should appear, 
But a limousine pulled by eight tiny reindeer!

With a little old driver so lively and free,
I knew in a moment – Rudolph Giuliani! 
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, 
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name.

Now, Senator Warren! Now, Vice President Pence!
Now, Senator Sanders and Attorney General Barr!
All pulling together the American car.

On, candidate Biden! On, Secretary of State Pompeo!
On, Mayor Pete! On, energy secretary Perry!
All pulling together, they seemed jolly and merry. 

So to the rotunda the coursers they flew,
With a legislative sleigh and good wishes, too. 
But wait just a minute. Who were these people?
Woman and man? Could they possibly be Democrat and Republican? 

Yes, my dear friends, that’s how it could be.
Getting along, keeping us free.
One Christmas Eve, things really looked better –  
All of our country pulling together.

Please dream away this December night
Of how it could be without a big fight.
And I heard them exclaim ere they drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” 

Bob Gray
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin