I'm going to be totally honest. This may have been one of, if not the toughest Christmas poem to write. I honestly wasn't certain up until a week ago if this would be the year that the annual tradition would end.
Sleep has been difficult as my mood has alternated between depression and rage at what the next four years could be like. Every movie cliché that shows the bad guys winning has played out in my mind. A line that has played repeatedly was from Revenge of the Sith with Senator Padmé Amidala stating, "So this is how liberty dies. With thunderous applause" as the Empire rises and the Republic falls. It seemed to me that the well-financed plans of those craving power had won out and that suffering was going to rule the day.
But another phrase also made itself present in my mind; "These are the times that try men's souls," written by Thomas Paine who has a statue right here in my city of Bordentown, NJ. He wrote these words just before Christmas, 1776 as the American Revolution was going very badly for George Washington's army. As his army was falling apart, General Washington read these words to his troops from The American Crisis on December 19th to rally and inspire them. He then planned out an attack of the Hessian barracks in Trenton, NJ on Christmas that had no business succeeding. The rest is history... our history.
The spark of love and goodness will always remain lit in people's hearts regardless of those who very intentionally cheer hatred and prejudice. Let us choose to stand with "them," whoever is being targeted. This world has seen what happens when that energy runs rampant and it isn't pretty. Let us take example from the father of this country and stay strong this Christmas. Keep the faith alive.
Christmas 2024
By Richard Perrotti
Christmas night, 1776
T’was a time that would try a man’s
soul
Freezing drizzle turned to a nor’easter
Losses had taken their toll
Three armies were scheduled to cross that night
O’er the Delaware cluttered with ice
Only one would succeed, over three hours late
Would Washington thus pay the price?
George Washington’s men in the months
before
Had suffered ignominious defeat
Morale was sagging, the ranks were
thinning
Thus Christmas would take a backseat
Deserters and spies had let it be known
That Trenton would soon be attacked
The Hessians looked at the fierce Christmas storm
And chose no defense to enact
One small choice, one brave stance
Started momentum to swing
Thus altering the course of this nation
And eventually toppling a King
Our country has tangled with villains
before
And surely will do so again
Causing heroes to arise unexpectedly
Rallying all good women and men
Choose not to surrender this Christmas
Your hopefulness, spirit and love
Like George, it takes but one victory
To invoke aid and grace from above
For though your heart may feel heavy
As you witness pure avarice and lies
Remember that miracles do happen
And that lead balloons truly can fly*
*Search “Mythbusters lead balloon” on
YouTube
