‘Twas the Night Before a Poolside Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all were asleep,

Tucked under last minute prayers of a pool at their feet.

The ladders were hung by the poolside with care

In the hopes that a swimmer soon would be there.

The owners were nestled all snug on their pool toys

While visions of summer made them all splash for joy.

And Mama in her swimsuit and I in my swim cap

Had just settled down for a long floating nap.

When out on the lawn arose such a clatter

I sprang from the pool to see what was the matter.

Away to the tanning ledge I swam like a fish

Jumped out of the pool and made a big wish.

The sun on the breast of the gently moving water

Gave the luster of mid-day to make things even hotter.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old swimmer so lively and quick

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than dolphins his courses they came,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!

On Comet, On Cupid, On Donner and Blitzen!

To the edge of the spa to the middle of the pool

Now swim away, swim away, swim like it’s cool.

As the dry leaves had gathered before the pool cover would close

They met with an obstacle right under their nose.

So up to the waterfall the reindeer they flew

With a sleigh full of pool toys and St. Nicholas, too.

And then in a twinkling I heard on the pool house roof

The prancing and pawing of each little reindeer hoof

As I drew in my head and was turning around

Down to the sun shelf St. Nick came with a bound

He was dressed all in swim gear from his head to his foot

And his clothes were tossed poolside, all covered in soot.

A bundle of pool toys was flung on his back

And he looked like a pool boy just opening his pack

His eyes how they tinkled, his dimples how merry

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow

And the beard of his chin was so wet as it glowed.

The stump of a snorkel he held tight in his teeth

And the bubbles encircled his head like a wreath

He had a tanned face and a round little belly

That shook when he belly flopped 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 led me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word but went straight to the edge

And cleaned all the skimmers and then bobbed to the ledge

And laying his fingers up to his nose

Ducked under water but then quickly arose.

He sprung to his sleigh and gave his team a whistle

And away they all swam, like a fiery missile.

But I heard him exclaim as they flew off in good measure

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Life of Leisure!