A Rotarian Christmas Meeting
by Julie Miller
‘Twas the Thursday before Christmas and all through the hall,
The food services were moving at a crawl.
Mary P. led the Pledge, Chuck D. "The Four-Way Test,"
And then Bill D. prayed we all would be blessed.
With no food in sight and no time to waste,
*
Karan skipped to the elections with all due haste.
But what was expected to be a straightforward task,
Was for this group of Rotarians too much to ask.
Much to Karan’s great dismay,
Rotarians wanted more names put in play.
“Where have you been for these weeks” she lamented?
But it was finally agreed the ballot would be augmented.
*
While Larry was dispatched to create new ballots,
Rotarians lined up to appease their palates.
Pasta, mixed veggies, salad and chicken strips,
Were soon seen passing through Rotarian’s lips.
*
We quickly moved through the business of the day,
Acknowledging visitors, guests and those celebrating a birthday.
The song choices held some remarkable synchronicities,
For “Let there be Peace on Earth” and “A Helping Hand” were the chosen ditties.
*
Jeff Furest asked for our good thoughts for Dad Bill,
As our only “official” piece of good will.
Then on to recognition by self-proclaimed “Grouchy Larry,”
As he searched the room for people to bury.
Now, Gloria! now, Stephanie! now Tom and Julie!
On, Patti! on, Bob! on, Sarah and Valerie!
To Sam who failed to listen and Julie M. who failed to record,
“All of you are Fined” Grouchy Larry roared!
*
With the bloodletting over our attention could turn
To Bob from Two James and the history of whiskey to learn.
And learn we did, as Bob spoke of Two James,
And told us stories of their whiskey’s acclaim.
But while listening is good, experiencing is best,
So we opened the bottles and put Two James to the test.
Around the room shot glasses were raised,
And overall the whiskey was praised.
*
Before the meeting was finally adjourned
Our revised ballots were quietly returned.
Now warmed by the whiskey and nothing left to hear
We headed toward the door with words of good cheer.
For with our strong personalities we won’t always agree,
“Service before Self” remains our unifying decree.
And as for myself, I am eager to learn
How much of a fine my bad poetry will earn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
.png)
