Goldstream Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas in Goldstream, Alaska.
"Could it get any colder," said Papa,"I'll ask yer?"
The hills were all covered with homes old and new
Neat cabins and trailers, and tarps made of blue.
The stockings were taped to the table with duct
Hanging them by the woodstove would have pushed our luck.
The children were snuggled all warm in their beds
While visions of Hot Licks danced in their heads.
And Papa in his long johns, and me in my fleece
Had just settled down for a nip, and some peace.
When out in the yard there arose such a racket,
Like the dogs when they foller a rabbit to track it.
Away to the doorway I went with a light
Grumpy as heck and most ready to fight.
The moon on the breast of the old, hard-packed snow
Showed all of the places the dogs like to go.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a dogsled, eight huskies, and a dude with a beard
He looked fat and jolly tho' the dogs were a barking
I saw on his bumper "Ivory Jacks. Free Parking"
More rapid than ski-dos the doggies they came
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name
"Haw Stevens! Haw Young, Murkowski and Fred!
Keep moving you mongrels, you're tired, not dead!"
Gee Kenai! Gee Togiak, Denali and Palin!
(she looks pretty good tho' her stamina's failin')"
And then in a twinkling I saw in my yard
Santa braked and yelled "whoa" as he pulled them up hard.
He was dressed for cold weather, in his Carhardts and boots
The red cap on his head completed his suit.
His sled was packed full, toys tucked into the basket
Hauling all that would put me in a casket!
A pack full of toys he slung over his back
and he climbed up the stairs and he flung down his pack.
His cheeks were quite pink, either frostnip or hooch
But he seemed pretty friendly and petted my pooch.
His beard was pure white and bushy and wide
Where spittle and 'bacco juice had frozen and dried.
He had a broad face and a big ol' beer belly
That shook when he laughed like blueberry jelly.
But seemed pretty friendly and had lots of toys;
And one of those chainsaws my husband enjoys.
He came right on in, and started to work
He filled up the stockings and turned with a jerk.
Then grabbing some cookies, and then a few more
He nodded at us and went out the door.
He jumped on the sled, to the team he yelled 'hike'
And he fled down the driveway, missing old cars and bikes.
But we heard him exclaim 'ere he mushed out of sight
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
"Could it get any colder," said Papa,"I'll ask yer?"
The hills were all covered with homes old and new
Neat cabins and trailers, and tarps made of blue.
The stockings were taped to the table with duct
Hanging them by the woodstove would have pushed our luck.
The children were snuggled all warm in their beds
While visions of Hot Licks danced in their heads.
And Papa in his long johns, and me in my fleece
Had just settled down for a nip, and some peace.
When out in the yard there arose such a racket,
Like the dogs when they foller a rabbit to track it.
Away to the doorway I went with a light
Grumpy as heck and most ready to fight.
The moon on the breast of the old, hard-packed snow
Showed all of the places the dogs like to go.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a dogsled, eight huskies, and a dude with a beard
He looked fat and jolly tho' the dogs were a barking
I saw on his bumper "Ivory Jacks. Free Parking"
More rapid than ski-dos the doggies they came
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name
"Haw Stevens! Haw Young, Murkowski and Fred!
Keep moving you mongrels, you're tired, not dead!"
Gee Kenai! Gee Togiak, Denali and Palin!
(she looks pretty good tho' her stamina's failin')"
And then in a twinkling I saw in my yard
Santa braked and yelled "whoa" as he pulled them up hard.
He was dressed for cold weather, in his Carhardts and boots
The red cap on his head completed his suit.
His sled was packed full, toys tucked into the basket
Hauling all that would put me in a casket!
A pack full of toys he slung over his back
and he climbed up the stairs and he flung down his pack.
His cheeks were quite pink, either frostnip or hooch
But he seemed pretty friendly and petted my pooch.
His beard was pure white and bushy and wide
Where spittle and 'bacco juice had frozen and dried.
He had a broad face and a big ol' beer belly
That shook when he laughed like blueberry jelly.
But seemed pretty friendly and had lots of toys;
And one of those chainsaws my husband enjoys.
He came right on in, and started to work
He filled up the stockings and turned with a jerk.
Then grabbing some cookies, and then a few more
He nodded at us and went out the door.
He jumped on the sled, to the team he yelled 'hike'
And he fled down the driveway, missing old cars and bikes.
But we heard him exclaim 'ere he mushed out of sight
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
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