On the eve before Christmas, Santa let out a curse.
“All the reindeer have measles, the spots getting worse.
Who can I find to carry the sleigh?”
He asked flying horses, but they all said, “Nay.”
Mrs Claus and the elves were packing the sleigh
Unaware that the presents weren’t going today.
“Oh Santa, my dear, come give us a hand.”
He shook his head, she didn’t understand.
“My dear, he said. “We need some help.”
To his surprise, up spoke Trusty elf.
“Mr Santa, I know of some friends who can fly.
Let me send a message to their home in the sky.”
In a magical way that only elves know,
Trusty sent a plea to a mount covered in snow.
“Please help us dragon friends for Christmas is dire.
In reward we’ll give you a chest of sapphire.”
The return message came, “No need for the stuff.
The smiles of happy children are payment enough.
We’ll be on our way as soon as we can.
Just our little secret, no need to tell man.”
Two hours later the helpers arrived
Green, blue and scaly with cat-like eyes.
Their leathery wings and sharp-toothed smiles
Helped Santa and sleigh across all the miles.
At first not familiar, but soon all the same
Santa thanked them profusely and called them by name
“On Flamer, on Draco, on Sharp-tooth and Asher
On Scorcher, on Blazer, on Needle-Fang, on Basher.”
The last gift was delivered just before dawn.
Santa patted his helpers and gave a big yawn.
“Thanks dragons, for helping, you’re the top of the cherry.
May your skies be ever sunny and Christmas’s merry."
© 2019 Kasper Beaumont