Merry Christmas everyone! I realize this paper is a morning publication and your holiday has just begun, but think of poor Santa. He's ready to hit the sack after a busy night.
Richard Curry Esler penned this poem with his ideas of what kind of Christmas Santa might want. I hope you'll enjoy it as part of your special Christmas Day.
'Twas the night after Christmas when Santa got home to his little ice palace just northeast of Nome. And Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, and Comet and Cupid, Donner and Blitzen went straight to their breakfast of oats at the stable, while Santa came and sat down at the table. He was tired and his clothes from his head to his foot were dirty with ashes and spotted with soot. He was ready to eat when he reached the North Pole, so he stated with cereal and milk in a bowl. Miz Santa fried bacon, made cakes on the griddle. And Santa loosened the belt round his middle.
He ate all his toast with some strawberry jam and finished his breakfast with slices of ham. Meanwhile his shop helpers, those weary old elves, ate all of the peanut butter found on the shelves.
They then ate hot biscuits spread heavy with honey and drank so much coffee, their tummies felt funny. They ate till they couldn't eat one more bite, then sat by the fire and told stories all night. Miz Santa said, "Well dear, how was your trip?" And Santa said 'Great! We went zippity zip with the bright winter moon all around this great Earth, which we always have done on the eve of Christ's birth.
"My team of eight reindeer, they sure pulled together. No matter how hot or how cold was the weather. Rudolph, our guide, got so deep in the snow, I could hardly see the red light of his nose. But, we visited all the good girls and good boys, and I slipped in and out without making a noise. I filled all the stockings from here to Peru and climbed every chimney before I was through. And now that our travels for this year are done I want to take time to say thanks everyone! I want to give thanks to the heavens above us, to mothers and fathers and children who love us.
To dear Mrs. Santa and the elves in the shop, to my reindeer and Rudolph whose nose wouldn't stop. To Christmas gift merchants and Christmas tree sellers. To Christmas card senders and Christmas tale tellers.
To churches we pray in the town where we livepeace and good will only Christmas can give.
"And now," said old Santa, giving one great big yawn, "It's past time for bed. So, I'm going to put on my fur-lined pajamas and also my cap, and settle myself for a long winter's nap. So did they all, and soon through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Then Santa said as he turned out the light, "Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!"
Sue Sampson is a longtime columnist for The Parkersburg News & Sentinel.
