CHRISTMAS IN TAMPA
by Michael Larocca
Preserved by Tandy Way T.a.b.b. sysop

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
AND ALL THROUGH THE TOWN,
NO NOSES WERE FROZEN,
NO SNOW FALLING DOWN.
NO CHILDREN IN FLANELS WERE TUCKED IN THEIR BEDS,
FOR THEY ALL WORE SHORTY PAJAMAS INSTEAD.
TO FIND REATHS OF HOLLY WAS NOT VERY HARD,
FOR HOLLY TREES GREW RIGHT THERE IN THE YARD.
THE SLUMBERING KIDDIES WERE DREAMING WITH GLEE,
AND HOPPING TO FIND WATER SKIS UNDER THE TREE
THERE WERE NO CHIMNEYS BUT THAT CAUSED SANTA NO GLOOM,
FOR HE COULD COME RIGHT IN THROUGH THE FLORIDA ROOM.
HE STOPPED AT EVERY HOUSE BUT STAYED JUST A MINUTE,
TO EMPTY HIS SACK OF THE STUFF THAT WAS IN IT.
AND BEFORE HE DEPARTED HE TREATED HIMSELF,
TO A GLASS OF ORANGE JUICE THAT SAT ON THE SHELF.
THEN HE TURNED WITH A JERK AND BOUNCED IN TO HIS CAR,
REMEMBERING HE YET HAD TO GO VERY FAR.
THEN HE SHIFTED THE GEARS AND STEPPED ON THE GAS,
AND HEADING NORTH ON 19 HE WAS GONE LIKE A FLASH.
BUT I HEARD HIM EXCLAIM AS HE SPEED ON HIS WAY,
"MERRY CHRISTMAS TAMPA BAY I WISH I COULD STAY.