Twas the Night When Christmas Went Wrong

Twas the night before Christmas - came like a flash, Mob of gingerbread reindeer prodding elves for cache. The Clausman reigning, doling out orders this stint. Lady of his, keeps his tongue supplied with peppermints. The vainglorious list of children, like snow through the Pole, Now hides in the cloud - smart tablet tabulates toys or coal. Head of the snowmen, cold and wise, supply the twinkle To Santa’s eyes. Green-elves polish his boots, unwrinkle The fat man’s caboose, untangle the reins, ready the ride. The lineup from A to Z better well shine or it’ll be their hide. All is still as the stars light up the path until Santa hops Down, creates sinkholes in the snow with flatulence, flops Into the overstuffed sleigh, jolly and jingling, creating pain For the svelte and prideful eight who sail gift cargo like a plane. Twas Christmas Eve and children around the world wait, For the jingle and jangle of the sleigh-bed to find out their fate. Tired, the sharp-suited Santa, now enters by window or door, A small finder’s fee for each elf who steals a key - keeps score. This year dear Santa abhors the cookies, milk, and snores. The liquor cabinet habit keeps him warm, loving kids to the core. Even when both parents and all the kids deserve some coal, He’ll ignore the rules, with a good whisky or rum (takes its toll) The reindeer left the last house hastily, and onward they speed, As lightning sears the sky but jolly old saint Nick is teed- Off, for he was found sleeping on the floor, by a kid. Now he shops For a good Santa Claus lawyer. Who doesn’t toy around? The cops. On Christmas day he is one of many dressed in black and white. All say they’re the real Santa. He snatches beards, ready to fight. Mrs. Claus makes him retire after his cheerless reflection. The head elf ready to update the store in a whole new direction. She puts the sleigh to bed, the deer no longer on loan, Fires up the internet, next year she will send out drones. 11/27/2019 The Night Before 2 Poetry Contest Sponsor: Joseph May