'Twas Two Weeks Before Christmas

--or An Account of a Visit from two St. Nicholas(s)

T’was two weeks before Christmas, and all around school

All the kids were excited and actin’ a fool;

The teachers were trying their best to be sure

To fix bad behavior with their “time-tested cure”.

The students were seated in columns and rows

Too excited to listen as everyone knows;

Mr. T in his khakis and they in their sweats,

Were waiting for break like good teacher’s pets.

When out in the hallway there began so much noise

They rushed to the window; they lost all their poise.

Mr. T ran to the doorway as quick as he could

To arrest the noise-makers like good teachers should.

The weird purple lockers made the whole noisy scene

Appear like the problem looked bluish and green.

But what in the world was the problem out there?

All the kids at the window could do was just stare.

There were two ancient legends right nose tip to tip;

Each telling the other “I’m the authentic St. Nick!”

“No you’re not; I am!” said one to the other,

“If you don’t believe me, just go ask my mother!”

“She’s my mom, not your’s,” said the one all in red.

“She is not! She is mine! Let me prove it instead.”

“Go ahead,” said the fat one to the one with his horse,

“I know you can’t do it. You can’t prove it, of course!”

The tall one he thought for a second then said,

“I have travelled from Spain and my job is to spread

all the holiday joy, so you see I’m the reason

so many children celebrate during this season.”

“Spain, did you say?” the chubby one asked.

“I come from up north and I travel real fast.

My reindeer they fly me all over the earth,

They pull my whole sleigh despite my wide girth.”

The one with the horse and the really tall hat

didn’t look like the other. He wasn’t as fat.

With hair white as the snow and a long flowing beard.

He’s a man who is holy from when first he appeared.

The plump guy seemed jolly, although not very tall.

His suit was bright red and looked soft all in all.

He flew the world over in a shiny, bright sleigh

Pulled by his reindeer, they could take him away.

They both spoke at once asking “But why are you here?”

Then they both laughed out loud for the reason was clear.

“I’m here for the children,” said Santa, “Of course!”

“That’s also why I’m here,” laughed the man on the horse

“I have an idea, if you’ll listen to me.

If we work together we can go sea to sea.”

“I like it! I do! A winter team we will be!

The best one in history; I think you’ll agree!”

They then shook their hands to complete their deal,

Santa looked into Sint’s eyes to see how he would feel,

“I’ll ask you a question that could cause our divorce.”

“Could I please, pretty please, ride that gorgeous white horse?”

“Now Santa,” he said, “You might think me unkind,

But the only sure way is if I do change my mind!”

“OK my new friend, I will stick to my sleigh,

And if things work out, I’ll be back on Christmas Day!”