Flakes fell heavily Christmas
Eve,
Close to midnight, the snow
was deep.
Simon glanced at his canine,
Queen.
"We'll frolic in the snowfall
so pristine."
Yet, in that moment,
exquisitely serene,
He reconsidered and sipped
the Benedictine.
Adjusting himself in his new
recliner,
He bellowed, "Chestnuts
roasting on an open fire."
A crash in the fireplace
caused him to jump,
Queen barking incessantly at
the red clump.
"Who's there?" Simon called,
his hand on the phone.
The stranger lay stunned on
the hearth's cold stone.
Queen sniffed the young
woman dressed as Santa,
Simon impatiently awaiting
her answer.
She stood and brushed the
soot off briskly.
Then turned to Simon and
replied quickly.
"I'm very sorry. I'm new at
this," she pleaded.
"Queen, come here," its
owner it heeded.
"Please, don't call Santa,"
her plea most sincere.
"He's working overtime.
I'm a volunteer."
Confused, Simon stared at
her blankly,
She offered her hand, "My
name is Laurie."
Simon did not attempt to
extend his,
Instead replied, "Simon,
mine is."
"I have your present but it's
still on the roof."
To this, Simon remained
rudely aloof.
He smirked, "You don't need
to feel sorry for me."
"I'll get your present. You'll
see. You won't be sorry."
Simon shook his head as
she flew out the door,
Then heard mumblings on
his front lawn.
Laurie cried, "My reindeer
are gone!"
A nearing neighbor stopped,
"Reindeer? Gone?"
"Please help! Do you have a
ladder?"
Scratching his head, "Yes...
I do have a ladder."
He entered his home, then
with one reappeared.
It steady, Laurie climbed,
then disappeared.
She found Simon's gift then
scurried on.
"Merry Christmas to you
and your loved one."
Excited, she gave Simon
his present,
But as he groped, all
became evident.
"Let me,"
and sat at his feet.
'Merry Christmas, Simon.
Enclosed is a check for the
eye surgery. Santa'
Simon buried his head in
his hands,
No words came for such a
present grand.
Nor a greater gift could he
receive,
Than the woman sitting at
his feet.
"If you like, I'll go with you."
Simon found then kissed
Laurie's hand, and after
catching his breath said,
"Thank you."
They married and raised a
family of three,
Whom they cared and loved
most dearly.
And so it was with
every Christmas Eve,
The family gathered to be
with Simon and Laurie.
A more full life Simon
never knew,
'Til Laurie fell clumsily
through his flue.
Blind and alone until age
thirty five,
Simon loved his helper
until she died.
The End
Texte: Copyright December 2009
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 13.12.2009
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