'Twas the night before Christmas...

By Brian Nessler of Eugene, Oregon. Brian describes himself as "semi-retired" and a teacher.

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the land the troops were all happy not to be in Iran.

Saddam was hung by the neo-cons with glee, while prisoners at Gitmo are still hoping to be free.

Barack in his 'kerchief, Michelle in her cap were searching their brains for a way out of this crap.

When out on the White House lawn there arose such a clatter, that Cheney and Bush themselves came out to see what was the matter.

Greenhouse gases and particulates gave a gray tinge to the snow, as the effects of global warming continued to grow.

When what to their wondering eyes should appear but gays and lesbians marching and shouting without fear.

Leading the marchers, was Santa himself, smiling and holding hands with a cute little elf.

Before Congress came others, hats in their hand, hoping for bailouts, but without any plans.

On Wells Fargo, on AIG, on Chrysler, on Chevy,

on JP Morgan, on Chases and Bancorps aplenty.

"Save us!" they shouted, as they jostled about, "Save us quickly." They said. "Time is running out."

People are not buying things as they should, Black Friday has come and gone, and still sales are no good.

Credit is scarce, home prices crashing, "It's Christmas," they cry, "and to the Malls we are not dashing."

All hope we have pinned on an unlikely source, a dynamic young black man, to chart a new course.

His eyes, they do twinkle when he speaks of hope and needed change, but his cheeks are not rosy, and many find this quite strange.

No stump of a pipe does he hold in his teeth, but some speculate that smoke may still encircle his head like a wreath.

A wink of his eye, or nod of his head, can change things for millions, as his power spreads.

Unlike his predecessors, (some were real jerks), he has not wasted time but gone straight to work.

Filling Cabinets with rivals, and supporters alike, he has reached out to others, and is showing some keen insights.

Our hope it now rests with our own new Dark Knight, and we pray for his vision to lead us back into the light.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and to all a Good Night.