12/04/2024
A Ferry Fate Ball Christmas Poem
Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the isles
Travelers were wondering if the ferries would be a trial
The reservations were made months in advance
But being on time was subject to chance
The ferries were nestled all tight to the docks
Waiting to be filled with the patient flocks
I in my Carharts, Grandma in her wool
Also hoped the ferries would be timely and full
But alas as we were watching the live ferry tracker
We realized that there was something the matter
All of the ferries had stopped moving - frozen in time
Impossible! They couldn’t all stop on a dime!??
It had finally happened - they all gave up the ghost
It was the moment we had all feared the most
Our ferries were too decrepit – none leaving the coast
Availability of crew doesn’t really matter
If our evergreen ships have all lost their swagger
I knew in that moment, hope was far away
And no hero would appear, with reindeer and sleigh
Our guests would not arrive we’d all be sad
Mourning the glory days of the ships that we’ve had
“Dear Tillikum and Yakima! Chelan and Samish!
Poor Calthamet! and Sealth! And Spokane and Salish!
From Tacoma in the south to the San Juans in the north
We’ll miss your statuesque back and forth”
As our state lets you perish as piles of rust
In our leaders we’ve lost our confidence and our trust
But as the obstacles grow, and we continue to wait
Politics ignoring reality, leaving us to fate
One must find hope, and moments of cheer
And maybe some magic to overcome your fear
A gimmick, a genie…a soothsayer of the ferry
In an effort to find a reason to be merry
The Ferry Fate Ball - the harbinger of news
To see if the ferries would continue to cruise
Ask a “Yes” or “No” question is all that it took
To help undue the State’s gobbledygook
“Will the ferry be on time?” I asked in hope
The answer began to help me cope
“My sources say YES” the ball stated with poise
Visions of sugar plums broke through the noise!
But just to make sure, I asked it once more
In hopes that this answer would confirm to the core
“Will the ferry be on time?” I repeated anew
Hoping it’s answer would be tried and true
It responded with “2 hours late” So much for its sources!
Now to rally more of the forces!
I asked a third time, now at wit’s end
“C’mon Ferry Fate Ball, please be my friend!”
“Will the ferry be on time?” this time, with dread
The answer unfortunately exploding my head
“Mechanical Issues” the ball stated as fact
My holiday cheer unfortunately cracked
I spoke not a word, and went straight to my seat
An emotional train wreck, feeling beat
I spoke not a word, but went right for my phone
Grandma and I couldn’t spend Christmas alone
We needed help the state won’t provide
Our out-of-town family needed a ride!
We had decorations galore and a packed fridge!
I know! Our solution was to call Tom Bridge!
A holiday miracle happened that night
With Tom, and his “sleigh” a wonderful sight
In this time of angst, a Ferry Fate Ball will likely make you laugh
Because waiting until 2030 for new ferries is daff!
