’Twas the week before Christmas in two-o-two-three,

And oh, what a year that it’s turned out to be.

As stockings are hung by the chimney with care,

The price of the contents is making us swear.

Inflation, we’re told, is well under control,

But that doesn’t square with a shrinking bankroll.

Very few products cost less than before,

From groceries to fuel, it’s just more, more and more.

Is China the cause of these unending hikes?

It does seem to fabricate most things we like.

We want to buy products made here in the States,

But that would just lead to much more soaring rates.

Everyone looks for a bargain these days,

No one pays full price, it’s quite a real craze.

C’mon, admit it, when you’re in a store,

Things not on sale just plain get ignored.

Silicon Bank made an unscheduled splash,

Investors were steamed when they ran out of cash.

“That’s okay, we’ll take care of you all,”

Said big banks that swooped in to pick up the ball.

Homeless encampments dot big cityscapes,

Crime remains rampant, and no one escapes.

Jobs are abundant, or so we are told,

But why go to work when you’ll just end up rolled?

Everything’s normal on Capitol Hill,

One side is shrill and the other does nil.

It just doesn’t matter which party’s in charge,

One thing is certain – our debt will enlarge.

The House chose a Speaker, then showed him the door,

Kicked out one member and censured two more.

Meanwhile the Senate had woes of its own,

Gold bars in closets don’t fly in Bayonne.

The vote for the White House is still months away,

Biden and Donald J now holding sway.

Some are suggesting that new blood is needed,

Quite a few challengers have not conceded.

Lawyers are making a fortune per norm,

With both White House frontrunners facing a storm.

Courtrooms are filled with contention and greed,

Not guilty, not guilty is what all concerned plead.

Meanwhile some real wars with soldiers and ammo

Continue apace in an ongoing gun show.

Russia and Ukraine still clash for control,

Of lands both the fighters claim one of them stole.

Once more the Middle East goes up in flames,

Lots of loud shouting about who is to blame.

There was an attack unprovoked in the fall,

Israel might want to build a big wall.

And speaking of blockades to keep people out,

Millions make use of our southern-most routes.

No great solution has yet to be found,

Though countless opinions arise and abound.

Sports, as is usual, help us to cope,

When news of the day tends to make us all mope.

UGA came out on top once again,

Throttling Frogs out in Inglewood’s den.

Meanwhile the Chiefs won but barely beat Philly,

Taylor was not there to yell herself silly.

That would come later as Kelce and Swiftie,

Made it a twosome that many thought nifty.

In golf came a merger of those under par,

LIV-PGA said let’s not spar.

There’s plenty of money to spread all around,

The Saudis just take what they need from the ground.

Vegas is hitting the big time with teams,

Like hockey and football and baseball, it seems.

Their Knights beat the Panthers in war on the ice,

Fans hope the Oakland squads well worth the price.

Men from Connecticut cut down the net,

LSU ladies ate vict’ry baguettes.

Denver got hot late and beat up the Heat,

Soon after Master Rahm finished his feat.

Texas emerged with a World Series win,

Being a wild card was their ticket in.

Meanwhile the networks that broadcast most games

Had to give in to some bankruptcy claims.

Lana Del Rey and Depeche Mode were winners,

The albums they sold bought a whole lot of dinners.

Metal returned as a viable genus,

The boys from Metallica charting their freeness.

Oscars were given to folks in a flick,

Everyone, Everywhere, All at Once clicked.

Made as an Indie it somehow made dough.

No threat to Barbie but still a good show.

AI is coming to all of our lives,

But isn’t receiving a worldwide high five.

Didn’t we use to just call it Big Brother?

Is ChatGPT just the same or another?

Covid we’re told is now well on the wane,

So, why are we still getting sick on airplanes?

And how come we’re told to line up for more shots?

It’s forcing our stomachs to tie up in knots.

Alas, that seems normal for life in our time,

Surely America’s not past its prime.

We’ve got some big issues, that certainly is true,

But maybe solutions are plenty, not few.

This time of year, is a good time to reason,

And think of the joyous events of the season.

Hopefully battles will soon simply cease,

Replaced with the kindness that comes with the peace.

Merry Christmas!

©MMXXIII. William J. Lewis, III – Freelance Writer