This year from Santa, did you get

What you wished for, or feel regret

For reaching in your stocking's sole

You found a great big lump of coal

And did you have a merry feast

Complete with wine and roasted beast

Or dine along with all your pride

On Big Macs or Kentucky Fried

Was all your loving family there

With bounty rich enough to share

Or did your dear wife's brother leave

With your new Rolex up his sleeve

Did you pay off all gifts you bought

So now for Christmas, you owe naught

Or did you sign away your life

And borrow cash from "Mac the Knife"

Well, if because you are so wise

You won another Nobel Prize

Or found instead, what luck you had

Was just a word to follow "bad"

I hope you have a grand New Year

Where bullish markets reappear

And only boats with seams that fail

Are all we ever, out must bail

Carol Smith

West Seattle