'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the village

Not a creature was stirring, not even an elf;

The cookies were out with drinks of eggnog galore,

In knowledge that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The neighbours were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of Christmas lights danced in their heads;

My friend in her toque, and I in my hat (found it!),

Had just settled down for one last toast before bed.

When out in 5th Street Square there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.

Away to the patio I flew like a flash,

Tore open the doors and stepped out on the deck.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a bright red sleigh, and eight hungry reindeer,

With that old slave driver, my boss and my friend,

I knew in a moment my time here was up.

More rapid than 24 days. I swear that it was,

So I leaned over the rail, and whistled, and called “Hey Santa!”

"Hold, just a moment! Wait ‘til you hear! Now, now, listen in awe!

The Village! Oh my! Dog parks, and art walks, and friends that were made!

To the library, architecture divine! To crab shacks and Bounce, games for all!

Dash away! dash away! I’m not ready to go, not even at all!"

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

So we jumped in the elevator, no dallying around,

There on the rooftop St. Nicholas came with a bound.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

He laughed as he said, “oh Derek, it really is cherry!”

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke just a word; “STAY”, I knew then from home I could work,

Clasping my hand with a really big grin; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up towards the Tower lights he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EAST VILLAGE, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!