A Christmas Poem

Sandra Maggs

Twas the night before Christmas, when all over the world

Parents were trying to bribe boys and girls

The cattle were lowing in a manger somewhere

In hopes that Santa Claus soon would be there;

The children were standing at windows to peep

Saying over and over I can’t get to sleep

With Mum in the kitchen and Dad in the pub

I lay there thinking of Xmas day grub

When in to my room on the tiniest breeze

Came the slightest sound of a feverish sneeze

I went to the window and stared into the night

On the rooftop next door I noticed a light

I crept from my room and into the hall

Down the stairs and out through the front door

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver who looked very sick,

I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.

"Hey Santa, what’s wrong?" I called to the man

And he beckoned to me with a slight wave of hand

"I’m sorry my dear I have a bad cold

My head is so sore and I’m just feeling old

I know that on me the kids all rely

But tonight I’m afraid I don’t want to fly"

"I’ll help you," I said climbing into the sleigh

With Santa beside me I picked up the reigns

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!

From the rooftop up high to the top of a wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

So off round the world with the reindeer we flew

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too

As he shivered we flew from village to town

To deliver the goods that for children, were bound

As we flew through the night I got such a thrill

Even though Santa was terribly ill

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all blotted with ashes and soot;

His eyes—how they watered, his dimples, once merry

His cheeks were all sallow, his nose like a cherry!

"It won’t be much longer Santa," I said

"Just a few more stops and then straight home to bed"

He snuggled right up in his fluffy fine wear

And I smiled to myself because I was there

No one would believe me when I told my saga

They’d say what a shame, Sandra’s gone gaga

When I woke the next morn, on new day so clean

I pondered the night, had it all been a dream?

But tucked in the pocket of my warmest coat

From the jolly old man was a thank you note

A secret for me and one that I’d shield

‘Til this Xmas eve when I decided to yield

That Once upon a time in a wonderful way

Father Christmas was sick and I saved the day

So where ever you are when you read of this plight

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”