Poem: 'Solstice Ode, December 2017'

No one owns the solstice —

not the Christians, not the Jews,

not Morgan Chase, not Zuckerberg,

and (thank God) not Fox News.

Republicans don't own it.

Democrats don't either.

The solstice doesn't want our vote

It will not be deported

because of where it's from.

It won't be sold, like Christmas was,

to amazon.com.

We can't deregulate the sun.

It's just a big ol' ball of flame

to which we all have access.

Let's hear it for the loyal star

that keeps us all alive

and doesn't give a rat's butt

It's been in power for ages

without scandals, lies, or doping

or icky allegations

or history of groping.

It works by day, it works by night,

It stays on task — no hype, no tweets —

just lighting … and heating.

What's more, it's not a militant

for any cause or state.

It just does what it can to make

The solstice. What a faithful friend!

And we are here to praise it.

So dear ones, if you have a glass,

now's the time to raise it.