'Twas the night before Christmas

(actually, it was three nights before Christmas, this is with my usual apologies to Clement Moore!)

	'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Mother Lode, Not a creature was stirring, not even the guys handling the hose.
	The skies were swept clear, the fog was all gone, In hopes that St. Nicholas would come by, not phone. The children were bundled up in their warmest attire, While wispy white clouds brushed past the church spire.
	I had just settled down in my car for a short nap, My sunglasses on, I pulled down my cap. When up in the sky there arose such a clatter, I rolled down my window to see what was the matter. When what to my wondering eyes would appear, But a red and white chopper, with black landing gear.
	It made it's approach and began to sink lower, Close to the ground, it flew ever so slower. But something was wrong, there was no all clear. Now I know the function of those little reindeer!
	It didn't look safe, he pulled back on the stick, There's only one pilot like that, it must be St. Nick. I heard him exclaim to his helpers below, "Now Joe Bob, now Freddie, now Jack, Fred and Harry! Move those shopping carts and babies, give me some room, I don't fly like a fairy!"
	And once more he circled, he came back around, Until everything was safe down below on the ground.
	And as dry leaves before the rotor wash fly, He was back overhead dropping out of the sky.
	As I held onto my cap and my sunglasses flew, The copter was down, the noise was less too.
	His hair was all mussed, his beard was crooked, and I heard him say, "That joystick and those headsets, I sure miss my sleigh."
	His cheeks were all rosy, his beard white as the snow, Santa looks skinny, those cockpits are small don't you know.
	It mattered none, we were happy to be here, He wasn't a bad pilot for someone that flies once a year.
	He sprang back to his craft and to his team gave a yell, "We've more people to see, we're off in my Bell." To us down below, I heard him as he flew out of sight, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"