T’was the night before Christmas
Throughout DPR
Music ran through the evening
News updates from NPR
Nine Lessons and Carols
On the classical station
While The Show About….ran
From computer automation
The staff were all nestled with
Loved ones in houses
Or struggling with manuals
Building bikes and dollhouses
The wife and I marveled
At presents gift-wrapped
And began to wind down
For a long winter’s nap
When from my old cell phone
There arose such a clatter
I sprang up from bed
To see what was the matter
“A Security Breach”
Had been texted to me
So, I pulled on my clothes
And drove over to see
What might be the problem
This Christmas Eve night?
And what might have sneaked in
To cause such a fright?
The moon reflected not
On some new-fallen snow
But on dry empty streets
Yet it glistened and glowed
As I rounded the corner
What should I spy?
A sleigh and eight reindeer
Four parking spaces occupied
Yes, Dasher and Dancer
Prancer & Vixen
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen
They stood in the parking lot
It was a quite a sensation
And I prayed SU Police
Would not write a citation
For where does one park
A sleigh loaded with toys
Destined for the world’s living rooms
Seeking good girls and boys?
And there stood on our walkway
Wrapped in fur and red coat
The man called St. Nick
Quite a legend of note
I had barely a moment
To stand there and gawk
When he strolled through the front door
Even though it was locked
“Could it be,” I asked myself
“That the jolly old man
Is a frustrated DJ…
And an NPR fan?”
I crept to the window
“What is it he craves?”
What would Santa then do
With our radio waves?
Without hesitation
He directed his elves
And with the wink of his eye
CD’s flew from the shelves
The console’s lights flashed
And the light glowed “ON-AIR”
As the DPR guest jock
Broadcast first class air fare
“I’m your overnight DJ
Let’s just say my name’s Nick
I’ve got lots of great music
Let’s start off with this pick”
As the airwaves began crackling
It was not such a shock
When the DJ named Santa
Cued up “Jingle Bell Rock”
Then came Elvis’ “Blue Christmas”
“What Christmas Means To Me
Then “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
By Vince Guaraldi
“Silent Night,” “The Messiah”
“Run Run Rudolph” and maybe
That deliciously naughty
Old tune “Santa Baby”
“Silver Bells” and “White Christmas”
And, well, just because
He played “I Saw Mommy Kissing
Santa Claus”
For hours on end,
Santa spun discs excelling
And the listeners tuned in
As he spoke quite compelling
Of the meaning of Christmas
Of the holiday season
And the magic and wonder
That’s in fact the real reason
Why we gather together
With our loved ones nearby
And we give of ourselves
To those folks who scrape by
Hoping maybe this next year
Will offer the chances
Of improving their lives
And to make some advances
Toward happiness, comfort,
And safety and joy
For the homeless, the lonely
Every young girl and boy
Who might wish for some shelter
Or food, warmth, or love
As they raise their gaze upward
To the stars far above
And see flying through night skies
Spreading hope, kindness, cheer
A mysterious broadcaster
And his flying reindeer
For he closed his long air shift
To those far and near
With one of his favorites
“Do You Hear What I Hear?”
As he left the control rooms
The computers took over
And his reindeer and sleigh
Headed northward to Dover
But he left a donation
A generous one, too!
With a note saying “Bravo!
Keep it up, you’ll pull through!”
“And let everyone know,”
He continued to write
“Public radio brings joy
Every morn’, noon, and night”
“So remember, I know
Who’s been naughty or nice
And if you’ve not donated
At least once or twice”
“I note these things, people.
So, avoid condemnation,
And make a donation
To your DPR stations!”
Then I heard him exclaim
As he soared out of sight
“Merry Christmas to all!
Santa’s off-air…good night!
Composed – with apologies to Clement Moore – by Dana E. Whitehair, for Delmarva Public Radio’s Office of Public Spectacle
© 2015 Delmarva Public Radio, All Rights Reserved, All Wrongs Reversed
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from the staff and volunteers of Delmarva Public Radio!!
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