Late Christmas Eve night,
quite by chance,
I awoke from a noise I heard.

A little fat man
Was standing, by the fireplace,
I couldn't utter a word.

He was dressed in red, with tall black boots,
And red sock cap
With a white ball on the end.

His soft white beard
And friendly round face,
Identified him immediately as a friend.

He was pulling something heavy
From the fire place,
It was hidden by his broad back.

Finally, he turned
With a huge object in his hands,
It looked like a very large sack.

I watched him move
Around the Christmas tree,
Putting objects here and there.

I stood very quietly
As if frozen,
All I could do was stare.

He stopped what he was doing,
Studied his work,
Making sure he had done it right.

He stepped very quickly
Back into the fireplace
And disappeared out of sight.

Once again
I was startled by a noise,
I heard overhead.

I ran outside,
Dressed as I was,
Forgetting I had just been in bed.

What I saw,
I didn't expect,
I received another surprise instead.

A puff of smoke
Had taken the shape,
Of reindeer and a tiny sled.

I watched with amazement,
Unaware of the cold,
As they disappeared out of sight.

I thought to myself,
After returning to bed,
I hope he has a very good night.