Honourable senators: ‘

‘Twas some weeks before Christmas, when all through this house

A commotion broke out and tempers did rouse.

Senators had lined up with speeches to share

On a bill about carbon pricing and whether it’s fair.

Members were nestled all snug at their desks:

“Was this a caper or some weird jest?”

The Speaker in her chair, with Clerk Till at her side,

Was bracing herself for a rather rough ride.

When out on the floor there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to my laptop to see what was the matter.

Away to the screen, I made a quick dash.

I clicked on my mouse and blinked at the flash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow

Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,

When what to my wondering eyes should appear . . .

But an adjournment motion that rang out most clear.

In moments so fraught, so lively and quick,

We can do with a visit from good old St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles, his coursers we welcome —

I mean, Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and then some.

To the top of the scrolls! To the top of our call!

Order and decorum for one and for all.

As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the Hill, new senators they flew

With sleighs full of experience and savvy too.

They came from the provinces of Atlantic Canada,

But what about the Prairies, Ontario and British Columbia?

To the Red Chamber new colleagues did join,

An oath to the Crown — you know, the guy on the coin.

“Laying aside all difficulties and excuses” our duties must not a senator refuses.

Which is what our colleague did model, Senator Renée Dupuis — the Honourable.

We wish her Godspeed and offer farewells,

May she have health and happiness, and a life without bells.

To everything there’s a season,

even if we don’t know the reason.

Must we deal with such “weighty and arduous matters?”

So much of our world is now in tatters.

And so in this time of great sorrow,

We cling to the hope of a better tomorrow.

May your St. Nick bring gifts this holiday period,

In ways and forms that are rich and myriad.

And as we spring to our sleighs and give the whistle,

As we fly home like the down of a thistle.

May we exclaim ere we go out of sight,

“Be kind to all, be good and do what is right.”

Happy holidays to one and all.