A CHRISTMAS POEM

A CHRISTMAS POEM

By Tod Schlesinger

Twas 10 days before Christmas when all through the town

No one was stirring, Council with a collective frown.

The coal hung by the dais with care

Hoping that more money would soon be there.

The constituents were nestled all scared in their beds

While visions of rescue danced in their heads.

My wife in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the beach there arose such a clatter,

We sprang from our bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window we flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

The moon on the crest of the sand

Gave midday luster to the objects at hand;

When, what to my frightened eyes should appear?

But Council, with their wrecking gear!!!

What a pathetic group, so slow and sick,

I knew in a moment that it must be a trick.

More slowly than snails they came

Then they shouted and called me a bad name.

Now Jim, Now Julie, Now Sue and Pete

On Mary Ann in your new council seat.

To the top of the heap, to the top of the hall,

Now waste away, waste away, waste away all.

And then, in a flash, we heard on the roof

The preening of each Council member hoof.

So we drew in our heads and turned around

In time to see council come in with a bound.

They were dressed all in rags, from head to foot

And their clothes were all tarnished with dog poop and soot.

A bundle of problems had they on their backs,

They looked like snake-oil peddlers, bottles in their packs.

They spoke many words but did little work

Then filled us with hope and called me a jerk.

Then laying their fingers along side their noses,

They gave us a nod and told us all was roses!

Then they sprang to their cars and gave us a whistle

And away they all went like the down of a thistle.

Yet I heard them exclaim as they drove out of sight

Good night and good luck Pacifica, we’re in a helluva a Plight!!

as originally read before Pacifica City Council, 12/14/09