An ode to the vanishing 2019, a year unlike any the world’s ever seen
Two thousand nineteen Has now lurched to a close And where we’re all headed Well, nobody knows.
The year that just passed Left us muddled and grumpy The news was alarming— Relentlessly Trumpy.
A government shutdown! The Mueller report! The president tweeting His livid retort!
And then came the shriek Of a loudly blown whistle That rattled the world like a nuclear missile.
Our president talked to The head of Ukraine? Said, “Do us a favor”— To help his campaign?
“My phone call was perfect!” The president pouted But millions proclaimed That at last he’d been outed.
He cried, “It’s a witch hunt!”— A cry like a screech—
But Nancy Pelosi
Said calmly: “Impeach.”
Our politics felt like A national tumor Thank God we could laugh At the line, “OK, boomer.”
The world was unrav’ling— Or so it could seem As migrants and refugees Fled in a stream
From Syria, Mexico, Yemen and more Escaping from poverty, Battered by war.
The Arctic was melting The climate was crazed— While Venice was drowning The Amazon blazed.
Thank God for young Greta, The passionate Swede
Who warned that we’re wrecking Our climate with greed.
And meanwhile in Paris Great Notre Dame burned While over in Britain The lib’rls were spurned.
In Hong Kong the protesters Fought to be free Reminding the world How tough freedom can be.
The dangers kept coming: Look, vaping’s a killer! And Facebook is spying! And worse? Stephen Miller!
A trade war with China! Iranian threats!
The menace of Putin! They gave us the sweats.
And shooters ran rampant In places of prayer From Christchurch to Poway Such cries of despair.
But all was not hatred And madness and fear The universe offered Much beauty this year.
In Congress, more women Were playing a role
We got our first photo Inside a black hole.
The word of the year Was the singular “they,” A him or a her?
It’s whatever they say.
These miracles taught us To never say “can’t”— Why, look at that burger— Your meat is a plant.
We listened to Lizzo And muted R. Kelly And bid “Game of Thrones” A goodbye on the telly.
And here in Chicago, We got a new story: The old guard was routed The new boss was Lori.
A breath of fresh air But a miracle? Not. The shootings continued The town reeked of pot.
Some pols got indicted The teachers said, “Strike!” The mayor’s new budget’s A thumb in the dike.
We stewed over Jussie (A star of “Empire”) He claimed an attack But it seems he’s a liar.
The top cop was fired (The mayor’s tough stance) Thank God for the fun of a gator named Chance.
Yet life, we remembered, Can vanish too fast Whatever the news It’s assured not to last.
To Toni, beloved, We bid our goodbye Farewell to Elijah His death made us cry.
So long, Cokie Roberts So long, Doris Day, So long to the poet Who helped us to pray.
Her last name was Oliver (That I should mention) She taught us that prayer Is a form of attention.
And now our attention Is on what comes next Another election— A hope or a hex?
Elizabeth Warren Says, “I’ve got a plan!” For some it won’t matter— They’ll still want a man.
But will it be Trump? Will he fall to defeat? To Biden or Bernie Or young Mayor Pete?
The future’s a mys’try Let’s enter with hope Go boldly and calmly Don’t let ourselves mope.
Remember the future Will come and then go And life’s an adventure— So on with the show.