Santa Hood

SANTAHOOD IS COMING TO TOWN
a strange and wondrous tale
by charles mistretta



        ONCE UPON A MIDNIGHT DREARY,
        I GRABBED MY BAG IN SUCH A FURY,
        WANTING TO PLEASE LITTLE GIRLS AND BOYS.

        THOSE REINDEER GROANED, AND MUSED WITH RANCOR,
        THEN NEVER WAS HEARD, SUCH SNORTS OF BANTER,
        QUIVERING I FILLED MY SACK WITH TOYS.

        THE NIGHT SO FULL, ANTICIPATING,
        WONDROUS DONATIONS, COMMISERATING,
        DID I DESERVE THIS GIFT TO PLEASE?

        OLD BONES RACKED, WITH ARDOR SENSING,
        AN AWESOME RIDE AHEAD IN FENCING,
        MY CALLING NEVER ENDING, THIS NIGHT OF TEASE.

        THESE WORDS SO STUPEFYING, CONFUSING,
        FIEND REGRET, FOR THE LOSING,
        SO MUCH - SO FEW - HAS GOT TO BE A CRIME.

        THEN I, OH CHAMPION A GLEAMING,
        CONTRIBUTE MORE, MY SACK IS TEAMING,
        WITH TOYS FROM LITTLE GIRLS AND BOYS.

        WHOSE LIVES NOW QUIETLY ESTEEMING,
        IN DESTITUTION THEY ARE GLEANING,
        FROM MY SIMPLE ACTS OF PEASANT JOY.

        I THE SANTA, TOYS FOR TAKING,
        DESIRE CHARITY, RELISH RAKING,
        NEW CHILDRENS' EYES WILL GLISTEN EVER MORE.