Madam Speaker,
  T’was the Christmas of COVID
 And interest was keen, 
 In our nation receiving 
 Its promised vaccine.
   
   The stockings were spaced by the chimney with care
 Though half of the family couldn’t be there,
 The children were snuggled (but sad) in their beds 
 Cancelled trips to see Santa Claus still in their heads.
   
   Mama in her 'kerchief and I in my mask 
 Had just hunkered down for the winter-long task,
 Of reading each book from Homer to Seneca 
 While awaiting a booster from AstraZeneca.
   
   But we can’t let the wait crush our spirits by inches 
 Or transform us into a nation of Grinches,
 Let’s reach out to each other, the tall and the small 
 Like the Grinch, let our hearts grow three sizes—that’s all.
   
   Christmas came to the Whos without ribbons and tags 
 It came, just the same without boxes and bags,
 By reindeer or by Zoom, it can come to us too 
 Merry Christmas to all, merry Christmas to you. 
  

