Derek Chauvin who murdered George Floyd was found guilty of the crime

It took only ten hours for the jury to deliberate, now he’ll do the time

Second degree murder, third degree murder and second degree manslaughter, convicted on all three

We have to wait until June sixteenth to see how long a sentence there will be

He tried to get out on bail but that request was refused

He was led off in handcuffs like the victim he abused

A prison outside Minneapolis is where he must sit in wait

Until the day he is sentenced and has finally received his fate

Experts say he has no prior convictions so his sentence could be light

The man is nowhere close to innocent and should be treated right

Just looking at the video you can see it in his eyes

Chauvin shows no compassion as George Floyd slowly dies

It’s like he is possessed or on some kind of high

Just peruse the video and it’s a fact you can’t deny

His knee upon George Floyd’s neck wasn’t right

The man was in no way even putting up a fight

Eight minutes and fourty six seconds of torture was applied

Because he has no prior convictions are they going to let this slide?

Take into consideration, the people begging him to stop

Chauvin ignoring all of them because he is a cop

Three other policemen there, ignoring this crowd as well

Not even trying to stop Chauvin as far as I can tell

These accomplices are charged and will have their day in court

Will their fellow lawmen show them any kind of support?

The fact is that their police chief didn’t back his men in blue

He testified that they were in the wrong with what they chose to do

This could be the initial step of weeding the bad cops from the rest

The more body cams of their antics, the more policemen they’ll arrest

Even through all of this, more unarmed black men and women are being lost

With Chauvin being convicted, has that line been finally crossed?

The credo that patrolmen stick together through all thick and thin

Will this truly be the time for law and order to begin?

There are unarmed black men killed almost every day

The time for police reform should be here to stay

If precincts are able to eliminate the bad cops from the pack

Maybe then we can stop the unwarranted attacks

Only then can we begin to stop this racial divide

Then maybe our citizens will look towards our police with pride

So much is riding on this George Floyd murder case

The first major stepping stone of putting things in place

Make Chauvin’s punishment fit the crime and send him on his way

Finally prove to all officers that there is a price to pay

There are so many more cases that are left to be tried

So many innocent black people that needlessly have died

Lawmen must be held accountable and stay on a right course

If they are found disobeying them, then kick them off the force

This task is arduous and will only be proven complete

When the black members of our community feel safe just walking down the street

I remember I had one that was only five inches and it was a black and white

Some thought it wasn’t all that big, but I thought it was alright

Then I got one that was thirteen inches and that did the job for me

Playing it in my bedroom was the place for it to be

Then there were ones that went to twenty four and twenty six inches I recall

Back then they were definitely the biggest of them all

Everyone who had them used them every day

Most often found in your living room in full display

In Canada, nineteen fifty two, CBC was the first network on the air

Nineteen fifty eight, it went coast to coast for all the nation to share

That was the only network we could all see

Until the year of nineteen sixty with the launch of CTV

Now through all these years, technology has advanced in leaps and bounds

The televisions graduated to colour and now had stereo sound

Then came cable companies which offered even more

Now there were more channels to view and it was no longer either, or

To some families this was a blessing, others it was a curse

Some loved the fact there was variety, while others thought it worse

Now you had several channels and the whole family had to agree

On what program they all wanted to watch because they only had one TV

This was the norm for most houses and the only thing they could do

There were others more fortunate and in their homes possessed two

So every night it was a ritual, you knew the plan by heart

You knew the chosen channel and the time for it to start

The viewing season would start in autumn and by summer it would be done

If by chance you missed a performance you’d have to catch a rerun

Then came the eighties and the VCR made the scene

To avid television watchers it was the greatest gadget ever seen

They could watch a show while recording another station

It became a “must have” item and it caused a great sensation

Now they weren’t required to have to sit in front of the set to watch the show

They could watch it later and have their freedom to come and go

They could now insert a tape and program it to record

Prices for this item dropped and soon most families could afford

This became the norm for most everyone back then

They kept their videos on tape in order to watch them over again

Major film companies releasing their latest movies was a now a major event

People could run to “Blockbuster” to get their favourite movie to rent

These VHS tapes were phased out, the DVD took their place

They performed the same function, but took up less shelf space

Fast forward to present time and the wonders never cease

You can now stream movies online seconds after their release

So many all over the world available, how many? I have no clue

Internet is the technology that the majority use to view

Televisions come in any size from huge to small

They now have the technology to beam them on a wall

Pull a screen down to cast it on and then put on the show

You will feel you are at a theatre sitting in the front row

The picture is crystal clear and it’s shown in 8K

You can view them anytime whether night or day

There are so many options where video now can be shown

Communication is so innovative you can watch it on your phone

You can now store your films on a storage device no bigger than your thumb

It makes one have to wonder what other inventions are there to come?

Whether the smallest tablets or the tvs with the biggest mounts

It’s not the size of your unit, it’s the performance that counts

Those of you who got the vaccine or are slated to get it soon

Just a note to let you know, I got my inoculation Friday afternoon

I was able to book it two days before the scheduled date

The job they did at Memorial Gardens was truly first rate

All facets were well managed and the procedure was well run

I was there for only twenty five minutes and everything was done

Included was the ten minutes early they requested before the shot

Then the fifteen minutes afterward sitting in a designated spot

Not one second was wasted and there was no delay

In and out in record time and then safely sent on your way

When you book your appointment, your follow up is scheduled too

Now when I head back in July, I know exactly what to do

Dr. Jim Chirico and his crew have been given a bad rap

The way they ran this clinic we should all tip our cap

They have been in a no win situation since it first began

They are required to listen to the experts and do the best they can

No matter what the verdict, he has to make the call

It is his responsibility and he knows he can’t please us all

The situation as we know it can change from day to day

The online trolls who think they’re experts always have their say

They cannot begin to fathom what it takes to keep things in line

They continue to belittle him and say he should resign

Complain that there’s never enough vaccine and how quickly we run out

Don’t they realize that exhausting our supply is exactly what it’s all about?

Some people get so emotional that they have fits of rage

Even though they are not eligible because of their age

There are at least three levels of government that this has to trickle through

That’s a hell of a lot of bureaucracy before it comes down to me and you

The major cities and urban areas all have the upper hand

The more you get with the program, the more you’ll understand

A tiny city in Northern Ontario is not a big priority in their plan

That’s why we must accept this and do the best we can

We do get our share, but it certainly won’t be pronto

That’s  because the emphasis is on big cities like Toronto

Those of you who are at home and sitting in wait

There are two pharmacies in town to try and make a date

Patience is a virtue that is also in short supply

It could still be a while before we kiss Covid-19 goodbye

Those of you griping now, that eventually get through the Gardens door

Once you finally see how well it’s run, you’ll appreciate your Health Unit more

I would like to wish everyone a “Happy Easter” right from the start

Yet another holiday we had to celebrate while we were still apart

I am certain there are people who were together for this event

The same ones who complain the most and have chosen not to prevent

They also believe it’s still a hoax while refusing to wear a mask

Choose to rebel this protocol, which is such a simple task

They continue to buck the system and continue to do wrong

And keep on bitching the most because it has lasted for so long

It makes one wonder how they can be so oblivious to the lives that have been lost

No matter what restrictions are implemented, that line is always crossed

Go on with their lives the best way that they can

They continue to socialize since this pandemic first began

Make it a political issue and proceed to protest for their cause

Make it an infringement of their rights and disregard the laws

Because of all their shenanigans we are now in the second year

Enough time has been wasted that new strains now appear

The younger demographic is affected, it’s now not just the old

Maybe it’s time to take a second look and put your demonstrations on hold

The more your group gets together the bigger the chance you catch a strain

Of course you will continue to ignore this, you’ve already heard this refrain

The cases are on an upward trend and the hospitals are doing the best they can

Having to move patients to other areas is being considered in their plan

We have watched all the news and listened to every word they spoke

Yet these people continue to be in denial and persist it’s all a joke

I still can’t figure out how they have chosen to think this way

We are obeying the rules and suffering each and every day

We are in no way happier than the ones who have chosen to rebel

All of our own existence has been blown to hell

We want to get things back to normal just as much as you

Refuse if you must but this statement is so true

We also are struggling to cope and we feel the rage

But for some reason we aren’t on the same page

You continue on your campaign and fight the fight

In a few more months we will find out who’s wrong or right

Our side will get inoculated that will save us from a tragic fate

You can continue on your high horse and just choose to wait

This way I will be that much closer to finally get out and about

You proceed with your rebellion and continue to drag it out

Things still won’t be normal in this lagging game

Maybe then you’ll finally figure out, you’re the ones to blame

The NHL season is now more than halfway done

January the thirteenth was the date when it first begun

Fifty six games scheduled for each team to play

Final encounter to be played on the eighth day of May

There have been postponements of matches here and there

They will do their best to reschedule them all, just to be fair

July ninth is the latest day this campaign could end

Tampa Bay holds the title and has to defend

If they triumph, I find it weird, for this very reason

They would be champions back to back for two shortened seasons

The league at the start had to make a decision

In order to reduce traveling they made new divisions

When things were finally set and all put in order

The eight Canadian teams were united north of the border

This is now our Country’s best chance like it or not

Thanks to this setup we now have a one in four shot

If we prove competitive and with a little luck

We’ll have our first team in the finals since the Vancouver Canucks

Ten years ago that was their claim to fame

Unfortunately they lost four to nothing to the Bruins in the seventh game

Montreal Canadiens are the last team to hear the victorious cheers

In case you are keeping count, it’s now been a total of twenty eight years

It is now our best opportunity to finally reclaim

This isn’t just another sport, it’s our national game

There is a Canadian team playing almost every night

The franchises are competitive and the rivalry is tight

Toronto is in first with Winnipeg and Edmonton tied for second place

Montreal is now in fourth but don’t count them out of the race

Any team can win on any given night

To come out on top of this group will take quite a fight

Whoever succeeds will represent us well

There really is no favorite from what I can tell

Your guess is good as mine on who it will be

Who will prevail? We all have to wait and see

It will be curious when we get to the final four

These teams haven’t played each other before

Just that fact alone holds so much intrigue

That it will be the first time these competitors will meet in this league

This being a condensed season, I feel some regret

But the playoffs coming up could be the best yet

Still we have over twenty games left in the regular season

You have to win as much as you can for that very reason

In all professional sports, winning the Stanley Cup is the biggest chore

Once you complete the season, you have to win sixteen more

As an athlete it is a arduous test

That only proves you are the best of the best                     

The ones who prevail are truly the cream of the crop

Keep your fingers crossed that a team from Canada ends up on top

It’s Saturday morning, time to rise and shine

Crawled out of bed and grabbed that dog of mine

After over an hour of trying to slumber more

The pooch and I headed out the front door

I have been out earlier, but it still wasn’t that late

It would be another thirty five minutes before it reached the hour of eight

Still this time of the day there was just a little light

By the time we finished our adventure the sun was shining bright

We stuck to our route most of the way

Extended it further, seeing it was such a nice day

It was the first day of spring and it was in the air

The sun now so bright, I was getting a glare

The excited weatherman’s forecast had finally come true

No clouds to be seen and the sky a bright blue

Conditions like these, will get everyone out

Come afternoon, people will be in shorts, I have no doubt

The temperature is going to increase and only get better

I’ll be venturing out later, wearing only a sweater

Three days of this in a row!  What will we do?

This warm weather will extend into Monday too

We’ve been stuck in our houses always on guard

It will be a welcome adventure just to explore the backyard

Our region is now yellow and no longer gray

We certainly aren’t in the clear in any way

We have reported eight more cases so we may be demoted back to the rear

We’ve gone through all of these colours at least once through this year

No matter what level we attain, it’s never that good

We still can’t perform all the tasks that we once could

It would be nice to talk face to face to someone you know

Not having to pace off six feet from an unknown wherever you go

Not having to have your head on a swivel avoiding everyone you see

Just strolling down the street foot loose and fancy free

It could be years from now before we feel we aren’t in danger

When walking down the street approached by a friend or a stranger

I’m tired of having to exist in life while remaining apart

That’s why I intend to get off my ass and do something smart

When I’m allowed, I’ll be there for my shot

No matter what vaccine, I’ll take what they’ve got

Whether it’s just the one dose or the one taken twice

Keep listening to the experts and taking their advice

It’s the most unselfish thing that each of us can do

It benefits everyone as well as you

It’s the first step and hopefully it will be the last

To finally make this Covid-19 virus a thing of the past

The sooner we adopt this policy, the more will survive

Life will come closer to normal and small businesses will thrive

Most of these small businesses have been in a constant state of alarm

You as well as these enterprises need a shot in the arm

Merry Christmas to all, although it seems much too late

Yesterday was the day that we got to celebrate

Due to the lockdown we’ve had to keep in our own space

It was now okay for the four of us to gather in one place

Not one of us hugged or even shook hands

If you heed all the protocols you should understand

 All of us had to confess that we’ve been nowhere for weeks

All listened to the experts when this virus reached its highest peak

All through this period it was getting harder to survive

Then we got the okay to meet in groups that numbered no more than five

This was an opportunity that we could not ignore

This group we had amassed only totaled four

So we decided that Sunday March fourteenth would be the day

We could finally put the wheels in motion after an eleven week delay

The meal planning would be arranged with relative ease

The ingredients for the original dinner was in the deep freeze

The presents were still unopened under our Christmas tree

We’ve been keeping it lit since November for everyone to see

We promised to keep it a vigil until we got to share this event

 The time had to be now since we got our official consent

We knew we had to take advantage of this privilege as best we can

After some consultation my wife and I both came up with a plan

The status of Covid-19 cannot be predicted

Who knows, next week it could become more restricted

Both my daughter and boyfriend’s birthday were just weeks ahead

We decided we would have to do something different instead

So we ran to the Dairy Queen and bought them an ice cream cake

The only thing in the freezer that didn’t require us to bake

Cramming all these events together might seem like a stupid stunt

That’s why we cancelled the ham and the Easter egg hunt

After all of the events, it was now getting late

It finally came to the time where we would end our date

It was great to get together and share some time with each other

It had been so long since we had been with one another

All the time they were here, the dog never left their side

They even had to take him with them when they ventured outside

It was so nice to have family visit in here once again

The pandemic for all of us has been quite a strain

We all piled in the car and dropped them off at their door

I’m hoping this is just the start of so many more

It was a great day, I think we all can agree

This poem is now finished, time to take down the tree

I’m tired of talking politics and Covid-19 too

I’m tired of looking out the window at the same old view

The fact that shoveling out our driveway is now a welcome task

We have been able to perform it regularly without having to wear a mask

As far as series binging goes, I can’t seem to get that done

I have sampled many shows but haven’t got past episode one

I have been trying to wean myself from the computer without much success

I guess this might be one of the things that relieves a little stress

The day is bright and sunny but it has been cold as hell

I’ll head out when it warms a bit and take the dog as well

Yesterday was even more frigid and I didn’t venture out the door

Calculate the wind chill factor and the temperature plummets even more

Winter still has a strangle hold even though the month of March is here

It’s great to be a Northerner but I wish it would soon disappear

Snow banks that are now over four feet tall are being reflected in the sun

I can now see them sparkle, but I can’t wait until winter’s done

The week ahead is supposed to be warmer if you believe the long range

Finally degrees above zero, that will be a welcome change

This is just a teaser of what the next few weeks could bring

Before we all know it, we will hear our first robin sing

Unfortunately our city is in shut down and here we have to stay

We can peer out the window and watch the snow slowly melt away

Perhaps I will be able to see the banks begin to recede

That will be the only way I’ll be convinced that spring is close indeed

When the warmer weather comes, it will also bring the rain

This will annihilate all the white stuff and flow to the storm drain

Then the winter tundra that since November has been the scene

Will be slowly transformed as it exposes it’s grass of green

How much longer will it be before we see the buds on the tree?

I’m not making any predictions, let’s just wait and see

I’m hoping that we will all be able to enjoy our upcoming summer

Starting last spring and right up to now has been a real bummer

I am going to try to enjoy what’s left of this year and give it all I got

When the opportunity comes along, I will be there to get my vaccine shot

I’m hoping everyone is in this mind frame and joins me in this fight

All of us getting inoculated is  the only way we will get it right

Think of all the people who didn’t come through this plague alive

Think of how lucky you are to be able to survive

I want this pandemic to be eliminated and finally be put in its place

It would nice to have another topic to occupy this space

Eric Garner wrestled to the ground on the suspicion of a crime

While he was in a choke hold, uttered “I can’t breathe” eleven times

Because they thought he was selling illegal cigarettes, he lost his life that day

The officer involved was fired but has never had to pay

Michael Brown, accused of stealing a box of cigars

When the police located him, he hadn’t got that far

He was shot six times as a result and the incident is still disputed

The officer who killed him resigned and has never been prosecuted

Reports of a juvenile pointing a gun that was “probably fake” at passers by

This would end up that Tamin Rice, a boy of twelve would needlessly die

Instead of dropping his toy gun, he pointed at the cop

The constable in turn shot him and brought his young life to a stop

The justice department claimed there wasn’t enough evidence to charge him in their investigation

The shooter was fired three years later only because they found he lied on his application

Walter Scott was pulled over because he had a defective light

After a brief scuffle, he got up and took flight

Scott took bullets in his back that were to total five

He is now a statistic because unfortunately he wasn’t able to survive

This policeman was fired and charged but didn’t get what he truly deserved

Instead of getting a life sentence, he will be released when his twenty years is served

Breonna Taylor and George Floyd are the familiar names you’ve heard in the news

These are just two victims on the long list of those abused

Breonna murdered in March while George was killed in May

These incidents aren’t unique, they continue still today

Then comes the date, January sixth earlier this year

Donald Trump in front of his base receiving a rousing cheer

Trump and his cronies planned this insurrection

Still has his followers believing he won the election

The “Proud Boys” and “QAnon” are chartered members of this troop

They in turn took command when they stormed the Capitol as a group

Now remember how security reigned at the “Black Lives Matter” protests last year

When Trump’s mob reached the Capitol, the National Guard did not appear

They were on a search for “Pence” and “Pelosi” this vigilante gang

They ransacked all the chambers looking for the both of them to hang

The Congress was forced into hiding to avoid this nasty fate

The rioters continued to break into offices while the members laid in wait

After many hours, these people were escorted from this site

The Congress resumed their counting and continued throughout the night

It’s been over six weeks and over two hundred and fifty arrests have been made

Thanks to all the posted videos from these members who participated in the raid

The Police were the ones who suffered the most injuries from this “White Supremacist” unrest

The ones who aided and abetted in Trump’s diabolical quest

The Capitol Police through this whole affair were being soundly beat

Once the National Guard arrived these criminals began their retreat

Those that were arrested have now started to file in

Not sure when the first trial will actually begin

Jacob Chansley, the “QAnon Shaman” will be able to eat his organic food while he sits in wait

Seems he made it all legal because he was losing so much weight

Jenny Cuddy got permission to go on her Mexican Trip

Since she has no record they feel she won’t give them the slip

It will be very interesting to see when the dust settles, how everyone will stand

How will the twice impeached President fare? The leader of the band

In all these examples I have given you, try to figure out what’s wrong or right

Just read all the words I’ve written here, it’s there in “Black” and “White”

The Covid 19 Virus has now passed its first year

It has now mutated to more infectious forms which gives us more to fear

Can we get the vaccine administered fast enough to protect us from this blight?

Will it last until twenty twenty two? The experts think it might

Exactly how many lives worldwide have been lost we will never know

Five hundred thousand people in the States and still the numbers grow

Acknowledgement of this grim milestone wasn’t their major worry

The cold temperatures and snow in Texas was the major story

A Polar Vortex hit this whole region and brought it to its knees

This southern State has no defense to conquer this deep freeze

Their power grid was devastated and blackouts became the norm

This state through sheer incompetence was ill prepared for this winter storm

Each year their leaders were reminded that this situation could occur

They never took this in advisement and just continued to ignore

So now these Texans were without power and running water too

There was no place for them to seek warmth and nothing they could do

The temperatures stayed below zero for the week and went from bad to worst

These people couldn’t heat their homes and water pipes began to burst

Houses were flooding everywhere as a result from this frigid cold

So many forced to stay in their cars as this calamity continued to unfold

People died inside their vehicles from the carbon monoxide fumes

Home owners suffered similar fates by trying to heat their rooms

Such a rare predicament and such a tragic fate

What would you do if you were the Senator of this State?

You would do what you could and assist the Governor the best you can

Not the case in this scenario, he packed his bags and ran

Ted Cruz and family headed to Mexico in a hasty retreat

They invited friends and family, they weren’t all that discrete

He claimed it was just for the weekend so the original story goes

There have been so many new versions, no one really knows

So much evidence online was streaming that Ted had no place to hide

Hence when he finally landed in Mexico, he had to book another ride

Messages from friends asked to go on their excursion were made available as well

He was exposed on so many social platforms that his plans went all to hell

 Next day he landed back in his home State accompanied by State Troops

The media swarmed the airport in order to get the latest scoop

He really lived up to his nickname, no wonder they call him “Lyin Ted”

He spewed so many stories, you can’t believe a word he said

Sad to say, this story took away from all the people that are in need

Biden issued a Texas Emergency Declaration that was approved and can proceed

Ted ran off to Fox News to plead his case

State Television backed their man through all of this disgrace

Looks like this network will continue their same old sad song

As long as you are a Republican, you can’t do any wrong