Christmas Poem

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VOL. 1 NO. 2 NAS AGANA, GUAM
December 1967

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, ON GUAM
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and from our boondock house,
You could not hear a gecko, a shrew, or a mouse.
The zorries were hung by the louvers with care,
In hopes that Guamanian Nick soon would be there.
The children were nestled in their G.I. beds,
While visions of base housing danced in their heads.
And Mom in her bermudas and I in my shorts,
Had just settled back for the typhoon reports.
When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
That I climbed up a palm tree to see what was the matter.
Away to the window Mom flew like a flash,
No shutter to open, and of course there’s no sash.
But the moon on the crest of the drifting sand,
Gave a luster of mid-day to this remotest of land.
A vision is approaching, ah–it’s almost in view,
Why, it’s a miniature cart, and eight carabou.
With a little old rider, so lively and quick,
That I knew at a glance in was Guamanian Nick.
More rapid than eagles his carabou came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name.
Now Manuel, Now Pedro, now Cruz and Ferrero,
On Perez, on Lujan, on Jones and Guerraro.
To the top of the cliff, to the tip of the reef,
Old Nick drove his carabou as the wind drives a leaf.
So to the thatched roof the carabou flew,
With a cart full of toys and Nick’s San Miguel, too.
When all of the sudden he really did goof,
That woosy old gent fell right through the roof.
With a blackened eye and a bump on his head,
He soon let me know I had plenty to dread.
He spoke in Chamorro, and then went right to work,
He filled all the zorries, then turned with a jerk.
And laying a finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He was back in a flash all covered with dirt,
And the look on his face showed his feelings were hurt.
“Where in the world is your chimney?” he then said to me,
I said we had none, which was sure plain to see.
He staggered out the door, which really was best,
But the Guamanian Police put him under arrest.
But I heard him exclaim as they drug him from sight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
Contributed by…Section One-Communications