Greetings from River’s End.

 

Christmas is a special time, so I thought I’d depart from my usual style to give you my present, a River’s End poem. I hope you enjoy it and have a happy holiday.

 

‘Twas the night before Christmas when all down the river,

A north wind was blowing, giving everyone a shiver.

The crab traps were placed in the river with care,

In hopes that crab dinners soon would be there.

 

The wild ducks were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of summertime danced in their heads;

And Roy in his vest, and I washing dishes;

Had just contemplated catching winter-time fishes.

 

When out on the river there came such a wake,

      We sprang to the door to see which boat was the flake.

Away to the deck we flew like a flash and

Tore open the door, so we wouldn’t crash.

 

The moon’s a silver ribbon on the river and so,

It looked like mid-day to all here below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should I see,

But a bearded old salt, come in from the sea.

 

That little old driver so lively and quick,

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

More rapid than jet skis, his dolphins they came

And he whistled, and shouted and called them by name.

 

Now, Swimmer, now, Dancer, now Flounder and Nemo!

On Flipper, on Keiko, on Spinner and Gulf Streamo,

To the end of the boat slip, to the edge of the dock,

Now swim away, swim away, please watch the clock.

 

As the dry sand that before the wild hurricane flies,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the skies,

So up on the deck top the dolphins they flew,

With the boatful of tackle, and St. Nicholas too.

 

And then, in a moment, I heard on the boards,

The whistles and clicks dophins make in Fiords.

As we drew in our heads and were turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

 

He had on a slicker, and a Hawaiian shirt,

And his clothes were all covered with fishermen’s dirt.

A net full of tackle he had on his back

And he looked like he’d bought out Academy when opening his sack.

 

The lines round his eyes- how they wrinkled, his dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were all sunburned, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

 

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

 His face, it was broad, and he had quite a belly

That shook when he moved like a bowl of Naval Jelly.

 

He was chubby and plump, like a current day Beach Boy

And I thought ‘bout their song, Kokomo that brought me such joy.

A wave of his hand, and that he didn’t run,

Soon let us know we could put up the gun.

 

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings with top water’s and jerks,

Then leaving rods and reels – the ones that Roy chose,

And giving the Gamatsu’s, up the chimney he rose.

 

He jumped in his boat, to his dolphins, gave a tome,

And away they all cruised, leaving just the sea foam.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he went out of sight

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL, A GOOD-NIGHT!

 

 

 So, now what’s happening at the end of the river? If you can, come on back next year and maybe I can show you more songs from the San Bernard. Here’s wishing you Christmas spirit, lots of presents, a prosperous New Year, a warm, dry place to curl up, a Snow Geese snow fall, a full belly, a stretched fishing line, a good story and your own River’s End.

 

Jan
 

---