". . . but I have MILES TO GO before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep." Robert Frost

TWAS - 2003

T'was the night before Christmas
down the dark and smooth road,
as the hapless lone trucker
delivered his load.
The sky was clear
and the stars were bright,
the weather was cold
and the schedule was tight.
It was deja vu
all over again,
seems this night never passes
without this run-in.
Just when it was silent
and the houses all dark,
those pesky old reindeer
looked for a place to park.
You know the noise
that familiar old clatter,
it signaled the arrival
on my roof, of the big guy, yet fatter.
"Ho!Ho!Ho"!
the jolly man yelled down,
"I almost missed you
this time around"!
"Just when I was used to
your blue Sunflower rig,
you switch to a red Crete
you get a new gig"?
"Naw, Santa",
I explained while I stopped,
"I wanted a change
and here's where I plopped!
Remember when I was a kid
and how if I was good,
I had my own breadbox
stuffed with my favorite food?
Well I guess I got bigger
and my appetite more serious,
cause now I've got a whole truckload
of General Mills Cheerios"!
We laughed and we guffawed
and I poured some milk in some bowls
added a box of my cargo
and we munched in the cold.
Rudolf had regular
Prancer the Cinimmon,
and it was Berry flavored
for Donner and Blitzen.
When our spoons clanked the sides
and we slurped up the last of our snack,
"Thanks for the rest stop" said Kringle
"It's time we get back"
It ain't milk and cookies,
and it ain't good as Nog,
but sharing Cheerios with Santa?
how do I put this in my DOT log?
On duty not driving
for a half hour I guess,
cause no one would believe me,
if the truth I confessed.
I pulled back on the highway,
and tooted my horn,
as the sleighbells they jangled
and the team was airbourne.
"Next year the same time"?
He called in the night
"10-4 Mr. Claus"
I replied as they flew out of sight.

Happy Christmas to all my favorite people - thinking of you across the miles - love,b.