the night before the night before christmas

'twas the night before the night before christmas,
and all through the hood
not a creature was stirring.
at the mall?
understood.

so i donned my mittens,
long sleeves, tights, and cap,
and ventured outside
for a cold winter's lap.

the sun, how it glistened
off iced holly berries!
the wind my cheeks burnished
to hues of bright cherry.

i crested the hill
and met with surprise
a ginormous brown truck
and a man,
small of size.

i slowed to a walk,
and approached him with care,
not knowing if he knew
i knew
he was there.

as i neared, he looked up,
and his face broke a smile
"hey there, ace!" said this man,
"come and chat for a while."

i startled and jumped,
when he called me by name.
then, i softly said, "santa?"
he said, "one, and the same."

so we sat on the tailgate
of his mighty truck,
and he told a sad story
of terrible luck.

"it started last summer,"
said santa to me,
"when rudolph came out of
the closet, you see."

he went on, "he ran off,
and took prancer and vixen,
and so you can see
i was a fix in."

"couldn't you replace
three flying reindeer,"
i asked somewhat boldly,
"fore snow fell this year?"

"alas," said poor santa,
"if that were the all...
my real troubles are stuff
that kids see at the mall."

"electronics." i said,
with grim realization.
santa's elves can't construct
with computerization.

santa sighed and agreed,
his elves were outdone.
"they've gone off to be dentists."
said santa, "each one."

"so, you're on your own?!"
i exclaimed with dismay,
"santa - you're delivering
toys now? this day?"

"i," said old santa,
"must start anon'er,
to deliver the orders
from damned
amazon'er."

i clambered right down
off that rusty tailgate
and told poor, old santa,
"i won't make you late."

but he caught my arm
and said, "ace, won't you stay?
i could sure use your help
right now,
this day."

i patted his hand
and told him i would.
i'd be santa's helper.
(on his list, i'd be good!)

so we worked together
to put out those 'zon boxes
at houses all up
and down the hood's blockses.

we finally got done,
it was just about dark,
so i offered him space
in my driveway to park.

he said, "thanks but no thanks,
ace, i can't stay.
i have as many deliveries
tomorrow as today."

so i headed to go home,
as he drove out of sight.

happy christmas, dear santa.
may you find peace,
tonight.