It’s been a dark year for equity investors, and everyone is stressed, so I’m going to lighten things up a bit and give you a little commentary in verse.  I wrote this the other day for our free email newsletter, Cabot Wealth Advisory. I hope you enjoy it.

When people recall the bad year of ‘08

It’s doubtful the word that pops up will be “Great!”

Investors endured a historical mauling–

Economies slumped and the bear came a’calling–

As bankruptcies, scandals and loss heaped their plate.

Now Lehman’s a lemon, a bear ate Bear Stearns!

Detroit’s on the brink as its cash reserve burns!

The Fed is distributing money for free

(For big institutions, but not you and me)

It’s a soap opera called “As the Market World Turns!”

In a year that made most investors feel cursed

The month of October was truly the worst

The Dow and the S&P indexes plunged

And billions in value were quickly expunged

We all were depressed and had wounds to be nursed

We put in a bottom and prayed it would hold

Not wanting to be all in cash (or in gold)

And then we found out just what Madoff was made of

And markets had something else to be afraid of

At times like this, it makes no sense to be bold!

At Cabot, the holiday season draws nigh

We look at our charts and we give a great sigh

We’ve given our readers the soundest advice

But wish that the bull would return in a trice

And finish the year with a resounding high!

If that doesn’t happen (and frankly we doubt it)

We’ll all keep on hoping and when we can shout it

We’ll happily welcome the bull back to town

As markets show they can go up, not just down,

That’s tops on our Wish List, let nobody doubt it.

The year’s longest night is just three days away

We wish you and yours a first-rate holiday.

As days become longer and markets grow healthy

We’ll work to help you become savvy (and wealthy)

And hope you enjoy our CWA!

Editor’s Note: Paul Goodwin was on CNBC the other day and if you’d like to watch the video, it’s available on our Web site.