INSIDE AURORA: ‘Twas Two Weeks Before Christmas

December 9, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Scott Johnston

‘Twas two weeks before Christmas, and at the North Pole
Santa sat between sacks full of toys and of coal
Work was progressing but again without fail
There was the usual rush of last-minute mail

He reached for a letter with a fancy font
And found it was postmarked from “Aurora, Ont”
He opened the envelope with a twinge of fear,
‘Cause requests from this small town got stranger each year

He remembered one plea from not long ago
To restore the popular Aurora Horse Show
He had never been averse to bringing it back
But could not figure how it could fit in his sack

“Please bring a new toy or game”, that ask would be nice
Santa thought as he read once, then read again twice
He found it hard to believe, what they had to say
They didn’t want things given, but taken away

Santa soon grasped this not a joke or a con
The town’s supermailboxes they wanted them gone
Thrown out or recycled they were welcome no more
Folks wanted delivery restored to their door

A request like this one had never been versed,
Even when that cell tower went up near Bathurst
He was sure its removal would be on order
But folks got used to it over their border

He wondered what prompted this latest entreat
Was the writer too lazy to walk a few feet?
But an outcome of agreeing caused him to fret
This was a big precedent that would be set

‘Cause the way Santa worked, legally speaking
Meant rules around which he was skillfully deeking
While breaking in to leave gifts was felt to be fine
Stealing public property stepped o’er the line

But apart from the theft a test to be solved
Was mailboxes were big, there was planning involved.
If they hit Aurora last that would be okay
Because at least there would be more room in the sleigh

But his own reputation he hated to taint
Because to millions of children old Nick was a saint
Taking a cookie or two personified Claus
Not stealing with cutting tools, blow torches and saws

Santa sat back in his chair, and pondered a bit
To solve a challenge this great would require some wit
There must be a way to make folks feel of good cheer
Without Nick doing jail time for most of the year

Then a thought gave his spirits a well-deserved lift
Instead of stealing mailboxes he’d give out e-gifts
“Cell phones, ipads, and gadgets”, Santa Claus sighed
“Will keep Aurorans linked without going outside.”

Feel free to e-mail Scott at: machellscorners@gmail.com