Twas the year 2020, and all through the house
every
creature was stirring, from Human to Mouse.
The
stockings were tossed on the chimney, who cares,
it's
been months since we entertained, would Saint Nick even dare?
The
children were nestled all snug in their beds
as
visions of rubber gloves danced in their heads.
and
Mama in her gaiter and me and my mask,
had
just settled our brains for a long cleaning task.
When
out on the roof, there arose such a clatter.
I
sprang from my mop to see what was the matter.
Away
to the window, I flew like a flash.
I
peeked through the shutter, barely touching the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave
me faith that someday we'd have somewhere to go.
When
what do my wondering eyes should appear,
but
a miniature sleigh, and eight spotless reindeer.
With
a little old driver decked out in full gear,
I
knew in a moment we'd have Christmas this year!
More
safely than Hazmat the reindeer they came,
and
he whistled and shouted and called them by name.
Now
Clorox! Now Pine-Sol! Now Lysol and Purex!
On
Comet! On Purell! On Top Job and Germ-X!
Wipe
the top of the porch! Then the top of the wall!
Now
wipe away! Wipe away! Wipe away all!
As
dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when
they finished and then took a jump to the sky.
So
up to the housetop the reindeer they flew.
With
a sleigh full of masks, and Saint Nicholas too!
And
then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,
the
pawing of each little rubber-gloved hoof.
As
I pulled up my mask and was turning around,
Down
the chimney a big bucket came with a bound!
It
was covered in plastic from bottom to top,
and
the contents were sterile, despite the long drop.
I
missed seeing his eyes and his dimples so merry.
But
this virus prevents that, these times are so scary.
I
imagined his face and his little round belly,
That
shook when he laughed like hand sanitizer jelly.
but
I saw him outside though, as he stood near his sleigh,
and
I laughed when I saw him, from six feet away.
With
a wink of his eye and a wave of his hand,
I
felt warm inside, Santa too understands.
And
without a word, I went right to my work.
I
filled all our stockings, then turned with a jerk
And
laying a finger aside of his mask,
The
reindeer rose up, they had finished their task.
He
waved to me then, to his team gave a shout,
and
socially distancing, quickly flew out.
But
I heard him proclaim as he drove out of sight,
Merry
Christmas to all, we will all be all
right!
Carole
L. Campbell
2020
