Doggerel

[edschweppe]

On my old submarine, tradition was clear
(When stuck with the midwatch by fate)
That the first logbook entry of the New Year
Should the current conditions relate.

On all other nights that entry was done
In language both formal and terse,
But tradition did hold that on January One,
The logbook should open in verse.

It's been twenty-plus years since last I took pen
And filled out that logbook entry;
But I'm up at first midnight of two thousand ten,
So here's doggerel with status of me:

There's a nip in the air, and fresh snow on the ground,
And my life, though imperfect, is fine.
Here's to the New Year! Let good fortune abound!
And be damned to two thousand and nine!