A Christmas Poem

Far away to the North
In a cold, snowy land
All dressed up in fur
Lives a funny, little man


He's a fat, little fellow
With a very, red nose
And he brings joy and laughter
*Wherever* he goes


In the long, summer months
When the boys and girls play
He stays in his workshop
And works every day
Making nice, little dolls
And big, wooden toys
To give to the children
Who are *good* girls and boys


With a large, spyglass
He spends an hour each day
Looking south, east, and west
Where the children are at play


And he knows the little hearts
Whether good or bad
Of each wee lassie
And each small lad


Then as Christmas draws near
And autumn wears away
He brings from his cave
A very, large sleigh


Then he straps on his toys
And on a December night
He brings out his reindeers
All brown and white


They are hitched to the sleigh
According to his plan
And seem to know the heart
Of this funny, little man


Then he puts on his mittens
And covers up his nose
And away like the wind
To the Southland he goes!


The children wake up
Oh! What a surprise!
Their stockings have been filled
Right before their very eyes!


Now, children be good
Is all I have to say
Never fuss or wrangle
While you are at play


For, always, this remember:
Santa only brings his toys
To children who are *good*
Little girls and boys!

(Maria T. Schowengerdt - December 1981)