2008

This year, the North Pole has become ecologically aware.  Things have gone green so to speak.

T’was the night before Christmas
And through the Geo-Dome,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a gnome.
Pure cotton socks hung
By the woodstove with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas
Soon would be there.
The doggies were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of cat chases danced in their heads.
And Momma and I under blankets of wool
Knew that this winter we wouldn’t be cool.
When out on the lawn there was a soft sound.
It was like something squishy had just hit the ground.
I rose from my bed to check out the noise,
Tripped over the dog with some lack of poise.
I looked out the window to the yard down below,
On the snow that glistened with a Chernobyl glow.
I thought I was crazy, just like a loon
What I saw had to be a trick of the moon,
Yet what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a hybrid sleigh and eight slippered reindeer.
With a strangely dressed driver so lively, so quick.
I knew in an instant it must be St. Nick.

More quiet than eagles his coursers they came,
I could barely hear as he whispered their names.
On Mountains!  On Forests!  On Rivers and Streams!
On Promise!  On Hopeful!  On Future and Dreams!
From the back of the yard to the top of the wall,
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all.
As the snowflakes before the mighty winds fly,
When they met with an obstacle, they took to the sky.
So up to the housetop his coursers they flew
Pulling a chartreuse sleigh and St. Nicholas too.
And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,
The muffled pawing of each padded hoof.
As I yelled for the dogs and started to turn,
Down the chimney he came with nary a burn.
He was dressed in an outfit so earthy, so green,
He smelled of pine and nutmeg, so nice, so clean.
The dogs gave a bark and arrived just in time
To see him standing there like a big whiskered lime.
They thought he smelled so outdoorsy, so free,
I yelled at one dog, “Stop! He’s not a tree!”

His eyes how they glistened, the color of sky,
His cheeks were so rosy, his smile so shy,
He was chewing some gum, Nicorette he assured,
Of his smoking habit, he was finally cured.
He patted the dogs and gave me a grin,
He said “Come.  Have a seat.  So how have you been?
We’re ecologically challenged, this planet needs saving.”
I listened intently to his ranting and raving.
“The North Pole has gone green, with the ecology we’re friends,
And we’re spreading the word to all the earth’s ends.
Even noise pollution we are trying to stop,
Which is why the slippered hooves up on the rooftop.
The presents we are making follow that theme,
Like miniature trains that run off of steam.
Radio flyers and cute little dollys,
Bicycles and skateboards to make the kids jolly.
Electronic toys that use solar power,
So this planet of ours can continue to flower.
No more X-Boxes, or gas guzzling cars,
Ecologically friendly is not so bizarre.”
After we talked, he returned to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk.
And laying a finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sled and gave his team a whisper,
And away they all jumped as the cold air felt crisper.
But I did hear him say as he flew out of sight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all an ecologically friendly, recycled, biodegradable, environmentally responsible, non-toxic, pollutant free night.”

Copyright Ó 2008 by

Brian and Shirley Dean