My Christmas With Santa Poem by Shankaran Kutty

It was the night before Christmas, a cold winter night
The tree was well lit, and all seemed so right
I was all of ten years and so rightly excited
Couldn't sleep for long, so for Santa I waited

It was well past midnight when I heard a sound on the roof
I couldn't have been wrong, it sounded like reindeer hoof
With a rattle and prattle, by the chimney he came down
If it wasn't Christmas, I would have thought he was a clown

With his belly so fat, how did he squeeze in
I couldn't do it, though I was so thin
And the white flowing robe remained spotlessly white
One look at him, and I knew it couldn't be right

Behind the kitchen door, I thought I will hide
Santa looked cheerful, a bit tired from the ride
"Now, Now", said he as looked all around
I shrunk further behind, I didn't want to be found

He put his hand into the stocking and pulled out a list
I stood there and prayed that nothing I had missed
Toy Gun, cricket bat and a battery driven car
Models of animals and a glittering star

The picture of Santa I had, looked exactly the same
I was wondering how, when he called out my name
I stood there and wondered, how could he know
Maybe out from the door, protruded my big toe

"This long list is yours, isn't it my dear?
Why stand behind the door, please come near "
On his one hand a sack and the other a long staff
Santa stood there and gave a loud, hearty laugh

He held me close and pressed me to his tummy
I was so scared, wanted to go back to mummy
"Don't be scared young man, now tell me dear
So have you been a good boy this year?

Did you obey your parents and tell your evening prayer
Did you do all things, so honest and fair
When you fought with your sister, did you say sorry
Ever shout at your parents, when you got angry "

I looked at him, now what can I say?
"Well mostly I have tried to have things go my way
But that doesn't mean, or does it, that I have been bad
Please sir, if you don't give me the gifts, I will be most sad"

Santa just broke into a laughter so loud
I thought he is going to wake the sleeping crowd
From his white robe he pulled out a diary so long
He checked my name if in there I belong

"Voila", he cried, " your name is in here
Which means you have been a good boy this year
So now be a good boy and do not weep
The presents are yours, so go back to sleep "

As the morning rays of sun, burned my cheek
I woke up to find my parents in hushed tones speak
Seeing me awake, dad gathered me in embrace
As Mommy gave a loving peck on my face

"Merry Christmas my son, time to get up and rise
Go and see if Santa has given a surprise"
I ran to the room and stood there to see
All my gifts lying below the Christmas tree

I turned to my parents and gave a know-all look
"you know I got these, because I am in Santa's book"
"Oh Yes you are" said Mom, "you are such a good boy
"then how can Santa, you ever annoy"

"I was worried", said Dad, "because so early you slept
If your list in the stocking, for Santa you had kept"
So saying he turned and gave Mommy a naughty smile
Oh these parents; they think they know everything, all the while