Twas the night before Solstice
longest night of the year,

The farthest from sunshine

the stars cold and clear

 

The stockings, the tinsel,

the bright pile of presents,

the warm busy kitchen

the fragrance so pleasant.

 

The fire is crackling,

the visitors fed

we struggle to get

the kids off to bed.

 

The hidden surprises

are hauled to the tree

Small treasures in stockings

for Holiday Glee

 

Soon everything’s quiet

even the cat

she got tired of running around

crazy like that.

 

And in the cold silence,

a sound that is warm,

a light that’s red-golden

begins to take form.

 

It’s Santa.  Beamed in next to the tree

Not everyone has chimneys, you see.

He can come through the mail slot, a window or sink

Santa has many more tricks than you think.

 

There’s not much time, lots more homes on the route

he digs in his bag, and hauls treasures out

She’ll never expect this.  He’ll be so surprised.

There’ll be happy lights in the little girl’s eyes.

 

But the little girl hides

right next to the tree

all stealthy and quiet,

she wanted to see

 

She watches as Santa completes his tasks

She works up the nerve and then she asks

“Santa, Where did the Reindeer Go?

“What happened to Rudolph?  I need to know.”

 

She startled Santa!  His headphone went ‘beep’

Santa Said “I thought they all were asleep!

Rudolph replied on the two way connection

“The little girl got past our sleeper detection!”

 

“You heard him? That’s Rudolph.

Now he stays at the pole

He guides me by satellite

he has the same role.

 

Dasher and Dancer, have changed their courses

They’re now in charge of Animal Resources.

Prancer and Vixen run an air B and B.

Comet and Cupid Retired on Me

 

Donner and Blitzen

don’t come when I call

They spend all their time

playing snow pickleball

 

But I still come to you, each yuletide eve

and I don’t demand that you believe

Holiday cheer doesn’t have a price

You don’t even have to be really nice

 

You’re all on the nice list!

You’re each one, a treasure

I’m not here to judge you.

I’m not hear to measure.

 

That’s what some parents

want me to do.

I don’t work for them.

I work for you.

 

When the night is darkest, and the world is cold

it’s true today as it was of old

the spirit of Yuletide says, “Welcome the Light!”

It always returns,  That’s my message tonight.

 

A star in the Night Sky, or eight lights that glow

trees green in winter, in defiance of snow

It’s dark, it’s cold, lonely, wet and scary?

Now is the time that we need to be merry.”

 

I’m  here every year

on the darkest of nights

It’s my sacred task, to tell you

We’ve turned back to the light.

 

And then Rudolph said, “Stand by to Beam”

and Santa said, this is only a dream.

He sparkled and glimmered in a last burst of red;

Merry christmas to you.  Now go back to bed.