What's Hiding In Santa's Beard? by Lenora Rodgers (best novels for students txt) 📕

What's Hiding In Santa's Beard?

Santa’s fuzzy, white beard tickled my chin,
As he held me close on his knee.
It sparkled and shined in the lights,
Of the department store Christmas tree.


I saw elves peeking out from the grizzly mess,
Parting the hair with their tiny elf fingers,
Eyeing me from that forest of silver,
Unbeknownst to Santa or reindeer.


The closer I looked, the more I observed.
I saw woodchucks and moose and frogs.
A bald eagle was making its nest,
Next to a squirrel eating chili dogs.


Two bassets watched me with interest,
From between the fluffs of white.
Their ears hung low, sad eyes were wide,
As they dodged a Persian cat fight.


Mom asked, “What is taking so long?
Tell Santa what you want.”
But my eyes were glued to this sight so bizarre.
Shouldn’t Santa know what’s in there to haunt?


“Santa dear”, I meekly began,
“Have you brushed out your bushy beard lately?”
“You’d be amazed by what’s hiding in there.
Entire habitats are enjoying it greatly.”


“Oh, I give it a comb every once in a while,”
He replied with amused eyes on me.
“To groom it too often would cause great havoc,
See, my friends get to live there rent free.”


“My hair provides warmth on chilly winter days,
And shade when the summer sun blisters,
Catches extra food for my growing brood,
When the food hits my mouth and drops downward.”


So I looked again at his gray grab bag.
I pondered and promptly decided.
I grabbed mom’s hand and pulled her in,
To a safe world I now knew existed.


“We’ll never be alone again” I told my mom.
“Santa won’t make a fuss.
It’s a new land of friends and family,
Who’ll love and take care of us.”


Penguins cheered and camels licked our cheeks,
While robins welcomed us with a song.
Then the elves surrounded and hugged us.
We’ve found a home where we truly belong.

Publication Date: 10-28-2012

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To all of those young readers out there...keep reading, read everything, read every day.