Taking Stock

As we near the end of a tumultuous year, let us pause and take stock.
On both personal and global levels, our resolve has been tested.
Wars and rumors of wars have been the norm.
Thugs came out of their hiding places and disrupted our way of life.
Immigrants seeking a taste of freedom were denied it.

A heretofore defunct political force showed us its deadly fangs.
Would-be dictators rallied to support it, even to merge with its intentions.
Lies upon lies filled the airwaves.
Incompetence rose to the top and curdled in its own messaging.
Closed minds made their case for closed hearts and bad intentions.
Our long-standing institutions quivered from the threats of withheld funds.  
Ignorance met tariffs in the false promise of new profits.
Resources were reshuffled to make room for more dissension.
Edicts masquerading as laws swallowed up traditions.
National heroes were castigated.
New fortunes were created from shallow waters.
Measles returned with a vengeance.
Peace gave way to dishonest intentions.

And then the tide began to change.
Slowly at first as growing numbers looked past the muddied veils.
Dishonesty, deceit, and deception revealed their ugly heads.
The polls began to shift away from the impostors
As justice would not yield to the false-forming arc of history.
The people voted.
And the Great Reversal began.
Backbones stiffened.
Lies were seen in their inglorious light.
Disarray met the minds of many.
And a crumbling roar was heard.

Now we know there are some virtues that cannot be conquered.
Trust is high on that list.
Tradition is also there.
So are the will of the people and the glory of what is right.
United we stand.
With all those who bequeathed us to be...
The masters of our fate
The captains of our souls.