Thursday, December 4, 2008

The Reindeer on State Street




'Twas the night before Christmas and all through The Loop

the reindeer were shopping for Santa's new suit.

A last-minute short in a Lionel train

had burned the elf's coat - turned it black in the flame.

So now they were desperate and dashed all around

in hopes that a fitting replacement be found.

On Dancer! On Dasher! On Prancer and Vixen!

On Comet and Cupid! On Donder and Blitzen!

They split up on State Street where some went to Field's

and others to Nordstrom's for late season deals.

Alas! All the storefronts were locked for the night.

The windows were dark. Not a tailor in sight.

It wasn't until on the Miracle Mile

that a man with a bottle, a beard, and a smile

saw them shiver. He offered his coat and he said,

"It's from the Good Will. You don't mind that it's red?"

Elated, the reindeer said, "Thanks! You have saved

us!" And they flew away while the man waved

"Bye!" Not til later did they understand

the reason for seeing the hole in his hand.


(c) John J. Desjarlais. This poem previously appeared in The Rockford Review.