A visit from St. Nicholas . . . I think

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all ‘cross the nation, The pandemic was raging, no sign of cessation.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

Midst fast fading hopes that St. Nick would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While home-schooling danced in their heads;

And mamma in her shield and I in my mask,

Silently task. planned the lessons unenviable

With gatherings travel to boot,

How could old Santa manage his route?

And how could we break the terrible news

That all of the stockings must return to the shoes?

cancelled

and

But just at that moment there arose such a clatter,

That I leapt from my bed to see what was the matter.

I fumbled for slippers and tied my robe’s sash,

And set off stumbling dash. for the den his in a

When I opened the door and came to a stop,

I blinked my eyes twice and let my jaw drop.

For the creature before me was clad head to toe,

With a space-age ensemble like an old Star Trek show.

Before I could speak he let out a chuckle,

That shook his round frame from boot tops to buckle.

“Don’t be alarmed and stay six feet away,

Or I’ll have to return at once to my sleigh.”

“I know it looks strange and I feel quite the fool,

But in a time of pandemic a rule’s still a rule.

So back to your bed and explain to your wife,

That all gifts are sterile and there’s no cause for strife.

And with that he departed with a lumbering stride,

To his sleigh and awaiting outside.

The deer for their part were all fitted with masks

And suitably clad in sterile gowns for the task. reindeer

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a yell,

But because of his helmet I couldn’t quite tell

If he said “Merry Christmas” as he drove out of sight

Or, “Social distance to all and to all a good night!”