The Thirteen Days of Trotsky

This loving tribute to our beloved Trotsky was sent to me recently on the eve of dear Leon's birthday. Ah, but which birthday? On the old Russian calendar (whatever that is) it is October 26th, on the new Russian calendar it is Nov. 7th.

The solution? As ever so elegantly submitted by a dear Comrade (-an unnamed source-) is to celebrate all thirteen days between the two dates! Brilliant!

Yes, indeed: smiles were found all-round on the 26th! The Red Banners were flying, and one dear Comrade even made little, paper Trotsky Hats!

It truly is a wonderful time in the Peoples' Paradise!

Below then, is our lovely poem:


On the first day of Trotsky's birthday, my comrade gave to me...
a permanent revolution in exile.

On the second day of Trotsky's birthday, my comrade gave to me...
two tumblers of vodka,
and a permanent revolution in exile.

On the third day of Trotsky's birthday, my comrade gave to me...
three troikas tottering,
two tumblers of vodka,
and a permanent revolution in exile.

On the fourth day of Trotsky's birthday, my comrade gave to me...
four Fourth International instigations,
three troikas tyrannizing,
two tumblers of vodka,
and a permanent revolution in exile.

On the fifth day of Trotsky's birthday, my comrade gave to me...
five bowls of borscht!
four Fourth International instigations,
three troikas tyrannizing,
two tumblers of vodka,
and a permanent revolution in exile.

On the sixth day of Trotsky's birthday, my comrade gave to me...
six summers in Siberia,
five bowls of borscht!
four Fourth International instigations,
three troikas tyrannizing,
two tumblers of vodka,
and a permanent revolution in exile.

On the seventh day of Trotsky's birthday, my comrade gave to me...
seven socialists scheming,
six summers in Siberia,
five bowls of borscht!
four Fourth International instigations,
three troikas tyrannizing,
two tumblers of vodka,
and a permanent revolution in exile.

On the eighth day of Trotsky's birthday, my comrade gave to me...
eight enemies of Stalin,
seven socialists scheming,
six summers in Siberia,
five bowls of borscht!
four Fourth International instigations,
three troikas tyrannizing,
two tumblers of vodka,
and a permanent revolution in exile.

On the ninth day of Trotsky's birthday, my comrade gave to me...
nine new Pravda papers,
eight enemies of Stalin,
seven socialists scheming,
six summers in Siberia,
five bowls of borscht!
four Fourth International instigations,
three troikas tyrannizing,
two tumblers of vodka,
and a permanent revolution in exile.

On the tenth day of Trotsky's birthday, my comrade gave to me...
ten five year plans,
nine new Pravda papers,
eight enemies of Stalin,
seven socialists scheming,
six summers in Siberia,
five bowls of borscht!
four Fourth International instigations,
three troikas tyrannizing,
two tumblers of vodka,
and a permanent revolution in exile.

On the eleventh day of Trotsky's birthday, my comrade gave to me...
eleven leftist leaflets
ten five year plans,
nine new Pravda papers,
eight enemies of Stalin,
seven socialists scheming,
six summers in Siberia,
five bowls of borscht!
four Fourth International instigations,
three troikas tyrannizing,
two tumblers of vodka,
and a permanent revolution in exile.

On the twelfth day of Trotsky's birthday, my comrade gave to me...
twelve proletarians plotting
eleven leftist leaflets
ten five year plans,
nine new Pravda papers,
eight enemies of Stalin,
seven socialists scheming,
six summers in Siberia,
five bowls of borscht!
four Fourth International instigations,
three troikas tyrannizing,
two tumblers of vodka,
and a permanent revolution in exile.

On the thirteenth day of Trotsky's birthday, my comrade gave to me...
thirteen thwarted Trotskyites
twelve proletarians plotting
eleven leftist leaflets
ten five year plans,
nine new Pravda papers,
eight enemies of Stalin,
seven socialists scheming,
six summers in Siberia,
five bowls of borscht!
four Fourth International instigations,
three troikas tyrannizing,
two tumblers of vodka,
and a permanent revolution in exile.

Thanks, Comrade for the most excellent poem! A "Peoples' Hero of the Republic" awaits you!