Glancing Askance: 2024 Redux

By Marc Wollin

It’s the week before Christmas, almost closing the book

On the twelve months gone by, so let’s give it a look.

A year like a minefield, you had to watch where you stepped

You shuffled or jumped, you laughed or you wept.

There was mayhem and uproar, only the venues did change

Some were expected, others were new and were strange.

So let’s get to the details, see what killed and what hid 

See what hit the heights and what hit the skids

There were sideshows and warmups, but in the center of the ring

The U.S. vote dominated winter, summer and spring.

A debate, a shooting, but when fall ended the stump

The country moved to the right, the edge went to Trump.

The White House was flipped, the Senate as well

Yet when the counting was done the House had the same smell.

The country has spoken, the direction seems clear

Let’s blow it all up, the place needs a slap on the rear.

It brought big grins in some places, despair in some more

While many are waiting to see how it gets scored.

All three branches together, the dog got the bus

Now what will they do, will there be cheering or fuss?

While all of that drama took over the room 

In the world around, things kept going boom.

In Ukraine and the Mideast, conflicts upping the score

Haiti in chaos, Syria has a new chapter in store. 

The climate was changing, with storms that got worse

The hottest summer on record, many places were cursed.

Flooding in Europe, twisters in the Midwest

Hurricanes in the south, Mother Nature a mess. 

Putin was reelected, no surprise from that place

While Mexico put a woman at the top of their space.

After 14 years the Tories were election deprived

While Modi was the winner of a third term of five

In Baltimore a bridge came crashing on down

While Wall Street sent the Dow Jones out on the town.

Charles had cancer, an eclipse stopped the show

Caitlin broke Pistol Pete’s record, France staged an Olympic tableau.

The Chiefs won again, the Celts did the same

The Dodgers and Panthers won trophies and fame.

And while Barbie in pink was a box office threat 

It was Oppe in black for the gold statuette.

Taylor sang all of her Eras, by the thousands they came

LeBron played with Bronny, the first in a game.

Tech broke new ground, hallucinations aside 

In pics, words and everything, the word was AI.

As always, some departed who lived in fine form

Chita Rivera, Charles Osgood, David Sanborn

Quincy Jones, Terri Garr, Bob Newhart, Jerry West

James Earl Jones, Willie Mays, just some of the best. 

As to the New Year, well, there’s lots to digest

Will it work out for the better, or will it be just a mess?

Each half thinks they’re righteous, the others are nuts

We all have to cool down, and get out of our ruts.

Aim for healthy and happy, and friends by your side

That way whatever gets dished out you can take it in stride.

So from my place to yours, to all in your hive

Peace, love and happiness and a stellar ‘25

Marc Wollin of Bedford thanks all for spending some time in this space. His column appears weekly via email and online on Blogspot and Substack as well as Facebook, LinkedIn and X.