A Christmas Cup

[A parody of "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore]

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the night

The elves feverishly labored for Santa's big flight

The toys were all packaged with ribbons and flair

In the hopes none would break on the long journey there

The reindeer stayed nestled all snug in their shed

While last minute safety checks were run on the sled

And the Boss in his suit and the elves in hard hats

Had just had a break for a quick union chat

When out in the yard there arose such a clatter

They rushed to the scene to see what was the matter

When what to their bloodshot little eyes did appear

But a miniature van with snow-treading gear

With a quirky young driver all bundled in wool

They all thought the same - that he must be a fool

With a grind and a hiss the van plowed through the snow

And at the flip of a switch came words all a-glow:

“LATTE! CAPPUCCINO! AMERICANO! ESPRESSO!

MACCHIATO! MOCHA! AFFOGATO! RISTRETTO!”

“With milk or with creamer! With sugar or foam!

Double or quad shots! Brought straight to your home!”

As a tank on a mission through the drifts it did bore,

Skirted a snowbank, then parked by their door

Down from the cockpit the odd driver did jump

And shook off the snow from his van with a thump

With the crank of a wheel he transformed his small van

As the window rolled up like an old sardine can

The aromas - how pungent! The counter - so clean!

The elves' noses were tingling - but what could it mean?

As he set up his stall and went round through the back

He started his machines with soft clicks and a whack

"Come one, come all!" he said grinning with glee

"From venti to grande - and all sizes between!"

As the elves all moved forward, their faces alight

They crowded the diesel oasis of light

With a hiss and a simmer, he poured each a cup

And soon they all realized how long they'd been up

When Santa himself reached the front of the line

The merry man smiled, "It's just about time!"

"For you my good sir I've the strongest of beans!"

"A sip and you'll see - one night's all that you need!"

As the jolly old elf took a sip through the steam,

His face lit up like an old movie screen

"I forgot how tiring this is," Santa said.

And together they drank till the dawn's rays glowed red

Then the odd little man folded up the small shop

And returned to the wheel with a quick little hop

And they heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,

“Hot coffee for all, on this very long night!"