Opinion: T'was The Night Before Christmas in 2020

Scott Simon

December 19, 2020 / 5:00 am

caption: With countless lights, Christmassy illuminated man-high trees and reindeer decorate the entrance of a shop

T'was the night before Christmas, and all o'er the houseStirred the clicking - most frantic - of every mouseAll the stockings were hung by the TV with flairBut children played on apps in their rooms without careSneaking smart-phones and laptops right into their bedsWhile visions of going viral danced in their headsWhen out on the street there arose such a clatterI sprang from my bed to see what was the matterWhen what to my wandering eyes did appearAn electric sleigh, without any reindeer

"Self-driving" said the driver, so lively and quickI knew from his TikToks it must be St. Nick"I don't strew CO2," he said, "on glaciers and meadowsSo my polar bear friends can hang onto their ice floes."He had a snow-white goatee, and six-pack of a belly"I just couldn't go on like a bowl full of jelly.Now I eat fruits and veggies, meditate, and do yogaAnd don't just watch e-sports—Elf Sports--on the sofa."

And after our chitchat he went straight to work,And filled all the stockings with candies and merchThen laying his finger aside of his nose,And giving a nod, he told me, "Lord knows2020's been filled with sorrow and stressesWith Covid, job loss, and protesting injustice.We miss those we loved, who are no longer hereHandshakes, hugs, friendships, and moments of cheer.Santa's whole workshop is now Work from HomeI call elves for IT help, they ask, 'Safari or Chrome?'I tell them of toys, and they say, 'You're on mute!'I've got grey sweatpants on 'neath the top of my suit.Family and friends can't gather this seasonWe miss their warm smiles, but we all know the reason.The year has been tough, but still at each turnPeople have become heroes, and helped us to learn:That even across social distanced divideswe are all essential workers in each other's lives.So thanks to doctors! To nurses! Delivery crews!Farmers and pharmacists, bus drivers too!Thanks to med techs, and scientists in laboratories Those in clinical trials, and the great Dr. Fauci!"

Santa sprang to his sleigh, to the sky gave a whistleAnd his autonomous vehicle took off like a missileBut I heard him exclaim, as he zipped out of sight, "Look out for each other! And to all, a good night!" [Copyright 2020 NPR]