11/28/24 – – Three years ago, with the COVID pandemic and inflation still raging, I updated Lydia Maria Child’s classic 1844 poem “Over the River and Through the Wood” (originally titled “The New England Boy’s Song About Thanksgiving Day”) to lightheartedly reflect upon the harsh realities of 2021. I reprise the abridged version here for your holiday enjoyment and to illustrate the fact that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOOD — 2021 EDITION
Over the river and through the wood
To Grandmother’s house we go.
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
Through the white and drifting snow.
Over the river and through the wood
The autumn sky is blue.
With gas prices large, the car’s in the garage
So the sleigh will have to do.
Over the river and through the wood
With turkey and pies onboard.
The bird is too small to satisfy all
But it’s what we could afford.
Over the river and through the wood
Our vac status up to date.
With masks on our faces, respecting our spaces
We’ll never test our fate.
Over the river and through the wood
No politics in the air.
Too left or too right will set off a fight
Igniting Grandma’s hair.
Over the river and through the wood
We see Grandmother’s house in range.
I’ve frozen a toe but it’s worth it to know
That we’re fighting climate change!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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