Isaac greets 2012 in rhyme

January marks the time
To greet the coming year in rhyme,
This easy task I can't abate,
For I last did it in '08.
Let's cast a final look behind
At what the old year brought to mind.
Korea lost its Kim Jong Il
Who left some awkward shoes to fill.
None know much of Kim Jong Un,
Who is for now the rising son.
We note the loyal opposition;
To defeat Obama is its mission.
Its candidates, though, don't seem to last,
Gaffes from the present and the past
Tore through the field, raising Cain
Just to knock him down again.
Paul and Bachmann had their say,
And took their chances out of play.
One candidate escaped unhit,
The one the rightists won't adMitt.
Obama still remains on track
To bring the troops home from Iraq.
His critics said he'd let them stay
Too long.  But as we near the day
For their return, the critics same
Gleefully assign him blame
For bringing them back home too soon;
Peculiar how they've changed their tune.
Close to home, a House seat came
Up for grabs.  We're going to name
Bonamici or Cornilles
To fill it.  I believe Suzanne is who
Will win the votes to follow Wu.
In Portland, one event astounds:
The Sellwood Bridge has broken ground!
Dow Walker, may he rest in peace,
Would rue that this time no one's fleeced.
From City Council two depart,
I wish you well with all my heart.
R. Leonard, thanks for stopping by
And for your thoughts concerning my
Escapist fancies on the law;
Sometime we ought to sit and jaw.
And to the people of our nation
I wish from war a long vacation,
With no military operations
And no news from K. Kardashians.