T’was The Night Before Christmas in Old Juneau Town

 

An Alaskan retelling of you know what.
By Dan Kantak

 

Thanks to my dear friend and “meter maid” HB who loves me enough

to suggest editing of my awkward beat.

 

 © 2004 Dan Kantak

 

 

T’was the night before Christmas in old Juneau town
As Boudreaux and Thibodreaux were walking around.
The governor’s mansion was decked out in bling.
And a sea gull flew overhead tipping a wing.

“How d'ya get to the North Pole” Boudreaux said with angst.
“The Marine Ferry don’t go as far as
Fairbanks.
 Bush pilots are piloting drinks at the Hanger.
 Man, this sure is a funk, it’s a dim doppelganger.”

 The Fat man needs our Cajun gifts for the morn,
 Boudin and
Louisiana rice au popcorn.
 It seems that we’re landlocked and the end of the road
 Goes 1\2 way to
Skagway then says--no abode.

The Governor’s mansion's pristine on the hill
If someone can help us he most surely will.
He’s generous to friends, what’s more Cajun than that?
The lagniappe of his office is fast, free, and phat.

I’d ask him for Guardsmen to get us on track,
but they are all spending Christmas in sunny
Iraq.
Then before Boudreaux’s big bulging eyes he did see
A Raven on Tib’s head like a black Mon Ami.

“Caw, caw, caw,” said the Raven perched there on Tib’s head,
Hey Raven, speak plain, we don’t know what you said.
“I said,” said the Raven, “don’t bother the Gov.
He’s more for the hawk than he is for the dove.”

“My Native friend knows the way--he’s a good man,
In fact he is family, part of my clan.
Come ride on my wings and we'll go to his haven.
Trust me, I speak truth in the way of the Raven.”

With twinkling eyes B&T jumped aboard
The raven flew upward and through the clouds soared.
Over the mountains and glaciers and such;
White wonders of beauty, creation's bold touch.

Now Juneau, now Gustavus, Valdez and Haines
On Palmer, on Wasilla, over
Denali’s manes.
“Eat da tail, suck da head,” Tib called out with a roll,
“Raven we’re there, ayeeeeeee - see the North pole!”

Silence as snow flakes set six sided 'round
Clothed them like a quilt made of fluffy goose down.
Said Raven, “Now Brothers you have your own wings
Let Life be a potlatch of the gifts loving brings.

Then out of a snow drift old Santa appeared.
He jiggled his belly and fingered his beard.
Ho, Ho, Ho, laughed Santa Claus, where have you been?
I see brother Raven is calling you friend.

“Oh my whispers and bells it is time to vamoose.  
The reindeers are prancing 'cause
midnight let loose.
We’ll pick up your presents in old
Juneau Town
And in
Lafayette drop you when I’m Cancun bound.”

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Tib, "Do
you think they’ll believe us back on the Bayou?”
Santa's eyes glowed with a  jump and a start,
“Believing is not in the mind, but the heart.”

Raven made a low bow and he bid them adieu.
Santa slapped the reigns smartly and upward they flew.
And Raven exclaimed as they rose out of sight
Happy solstice to all, and to all a good night.

©2004 Dan Kantak

Well hope this gave you a chuckle or a grin.

 

Merry Christmas.

 

                        Dan