So Scott... is it one of these days... Twas the night before

[PAC]

One of these days I'll get this in final form :

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land
not a paddler was stirring, no trips had been planned.
The dry bags were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. niCholas soon would be there.

The canoeists were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of Mitchell sticks danced in their heads.
And Ma in her poly-pro, and I in my cap,
had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

When out on the river arose such a splatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.

The moon on the crest of the high running stream
gave the lustre of midday, like silver it gleamed,
when, what to my wondering eyes should afloat,
but a freighter canoe and eight tiny C-boats.

With a little old paddler, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. niCk.
More rapid than Lugbill, his coursers they came,
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name

Now Slasher! Now Maven!
Now, Outrage and Dancer!
On, Cascade! On, Viper!
On, Zealot and Zephyr!
To the top of the course!
To the top of the falls!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!

As a boater a boofing a waterfall flies,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
so up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
with the boats full of toys, and St. niCholas too.

And then, with a splashing, I heard on the roof
a stroking and bracing to land with a boof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in neoprene, head to his toes,
and his clothes were all soggy from high water flows.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a voyageur opening his pack.

His boat how it sparkled, the red metalflake merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
The t-grip of a paddle held tight in his fist
he J stroked with good form with a twist of his wrist
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the drybags, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his boats, his team to the water,
And away they all flew like river born otters.
But I heard him exclaim, as they floated from sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

[maybe I (or somebody!) will get the rest finished before next year!]
_________________

[Sir Adam]

WELL DONE!!

[hazardharry]

cheers!:)

[truckeeboater]

Haha! That's awesome!

Happy Holidays everyone!