Allegro's Christmas Ode, 2020

‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the winery
The elves were decked out with their pandemic finery:
All smiles were covered with double-ply masks
As they spoke not a word, but got straight to their tasks.
You customers waited, all snug in your houses,
Waiting with fur-babies, pod friends, and spouses:
Everyone waiting, worn out from the days
Of COVID and quarantine, this holidaze.
“There’s help on the way!” knew the winery elves,
Bottling and labeling and stocking the shelves.
To and fro from the cellar they flew single-file
(Socially distant and safe all the while).
The speed of their work was like Santa’s own team:
Diligent, skilled, the crop’s finest cream.
When, what did their cute pointy ears start to hear,
Starting so far, but then coming near?
One special sound, through the snow-laden boughs:
Dwayne with the pick-up truck, coming to plow!
As swift as a reindeer he came up the drive,
Clearing the way for UPS to arrive.
“Pack the Cabernet! Chardonnay! Chambourcin, do!
Bring Harmony, Fusion, and Dry Rosé too!
From this hamlet The Brogue, to the globe’s farthest places--
Let’s get them their wine! Let’s pack up these cases!!”
From The Brogue, and from Stewartstown, from Strasburg, too--
Those cases, those magical boxes—they flew
All around Pennsylvania: to Philly, to York,
And popping to thirty-eight states, like a cork.
To neighbors and far friends, through snow and sun:
Allegro wine arriving, to cheer everyone.
To good people waiting, from both near and far,
Our vintages followed their calls like a star.
Not a typical holiday, this one—we know,
Though there’s tinsel and jingles and cookies and snow.
Yes, the berries are red on the snow-covered holly,
But it’s not always easy to keep up the jolly.
But still—what still counts: being safe, being warm,
Counting the blessings, the lights in the storm.
Together in spirit, though perhaps far away,
Waiting together for those brighter days.
Breaking bread, raising toasts: the simplest pleasures
Worth just as much as all gold we could measure.
Among those bright blessings, we’re grateful for those
Who have worked with such grace: our Allegro pros.
Among those bright blessings, we’re grateful for you
Who keep sharing our wine. We will make it through.
With winks in their eyes and cheer in their hearts
The winery elves keep on doing their parts.
Shipments take time, but it’s Christmastime,
And this wine will get there; stars will align
And corks will start popping, and there’ll be no stopping
The parties from starting and cheering and hopping.
No matter the wild times, the wait, or the weather,
Let’s cherish the best things that bring us together.
From Allegro to you, in this strangest of years:
Cheers to your holidays, everyone! Cheers!