‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Upon the North Pole

By Daniel Errico

(Inspired by “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Moore)

Twas the night before Christmas, upon the North Pole

Not a creature was sleeping, not one single soul.

All the elves were done working, now cozy in bed.

While Christmas Eve jitters danced round in their head.

Did they make enough gifts for the good girls and boys?

Would the children wake up to find half-broken toys?

Then from the shop, they all heard a great BANG!

And the high-tech, security elf alarm rang.

They put on their shoes and ran down in a flash.

To make sure some thief wasn’t after their stash.

When they turned on the lights, can you guess who appeared?

It was jolly St. Nick and his white fuzzy beard.

“Santa!” they yelled, “We’re surprised that you’re back!

Did your suit rip again? Do you need a new sack?”

He said, “Comet’s tired, like Vixen and Prancer.

And Cupid is mad at both Blitzen and Dancer.

Dasher and Donder have just run away.

I can’t do my job if they don’t pull my sleigh.

Go up on the roof and help save Christmas Day!”

The elves did just that without one word to say.

But a reindeer dilemma is not what they found.

From Cupid to Comet- each one safe and sound.

They saw Christmas trees, and then stockings galore!

And so much milk and cookies, they’d never need more.

With no explanation, without a goodbye.

Santa hopped on his sleigh and then started to fly.

So there they all were, on the roof by themselves

When they noticed a sign that read, “WE LOVE THE ELVES!”

And children popped up from behind rows of trees,

They’d been hiding behind all the tables and wreathes.

They circled the elves as they started to cheer,

So loudly that elves at the South Pole could hear!

And under the tree, which was grandest of all,

Presents were waiting, some large and some small.

Some wrapped up with bows, some with bells that would jingle,

But each with a note that was signed by Kris Kringle.

Every elf got a gift, and they loved every one.

Just a few trades were made before gifting was done.

By the end they were speechless, with such gratitude,

And elves always talk, unless chewing their food.

It was time to turn in, for the younger elves’ sake.

They’d be working tomorrow (enough of this break).

As she laid down to sleep, filled holiday spirit,

A little elf spoke (it was quite hard to hear it).

She whispered the words with a childish delight,

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight…”