Sanford T. Claus, Toy Maker Emeritus

Sanford T. Claus, Toy Maker Emeritus A tired old man, comes home early from work, He has begged for the afternoon off, you see. For tomorrow is Christmas Eve, he has much to do, And, just like Spiderman, he has a secret identity. He pauses in the house, stopping for a drink, And then he goes and unlocks his basement. And enters the room and the source of his joy, For here are his tools, his bench, his easement. Gazing fondly at a wooden plaque he made for himself, Back so many, many years ago. “Sanford T. Claus, Toy Maker Emeritus”, the sign does read, He had to give himself the award, for no one else did know. Of the long nights he had spent making toys to give, To the children of this village, in which he did live. All year long, he worked at night, a labor of love, Perhaps, with the guidance, of someone above. Then, late at night on the day before Christmas, He would walk through the town, leaving gifts behind. Leaving them on stoops, or in mail boxes, Or, perhaps, just strewing them on the ground. And then sit in his den, window open, ‘til the sun did rise, And listen to the shouts of the kids, finding their prize. His wife would get up and kiss him squarely on the head, And question his night habits, when he should be in bed. No one knew from whence the gifts came, nor did they try, To find out the name of the donor so sly. For to do so, might break a magic spirit, of love so good, Understood by the worst of them, with hearts of wood. Mr. Sanford Claus was getting old, but he had an apprentice, His twelve year old girl, Sandy, helped him every night. He knew when he died, she would take over, And deliver the gifts, to all in her sight. Where do they live? Well, it doesn’t matter, For it’s not gifts, but love that they scatter. And, where love comes from, shouldn’t matter at all, Just be glad you received it, and Merry Xmas, ya’ll! Copyright2001 Brazos MasonMaybe you thought being Santa was an easy job? Oh, well, at least it pays well [in love dollars]. Written December 1st, 2001 © on Nov 30 2001 05:59 PM PST, Brazos Mason   0 • 8