Day Before Christmas

Twas the day before Christmas, when at City Hall
No workers stirred, ‘cause all had the day off.
Mayor Tim opened his wallet and felt great despair,
For the raise he’d proposed still wasn’t there.

His two council chums watched, scratching their heads,
Declared Puddle and Glum, ‘More cuts instead’
“The girls” saw the gift dropped in their laps,
‘We’ll take the raise, let Tim take the rap.’

From quiet streets there arose a great clatter,
Awakened, Tim wondered what was the matter.
He saw in a dream a pitchfork’s gleam and a fiery flash,
Then to himself mused he, ‘Have I been a bit rash?’

Through the drapes there appeared a maddening glow
That sent Mayor Tim scrambling to the window.
What to his wondering eyes should have appeared?
No mobs, no pitchforks, nothing to fear.

What next he heard, tho’, cut him to the quick,
The sound of plant workers finishing their shift.
Some for the last time, some he knew by name,
The eerie silence that followed rattled his brain.

Now Invista! now DuPont!
Jobs by the thousands; hundreds now gone!
From west end to east end, from Rosser to Bayard,
Shadows from the old factory now fall.

Shaking life to his limbs and leaping to his feet,
Mayor Tim donned jacket and gloves and raced to the street.
Dialing frantically, pressing cell phone to ear,
Said he to his four mates, ‘Our duty tis clear.

‘Businesses we need to load up our quiver,
Let us stir life in this town by the river.
Raises can wait but no more hope’s light.
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!’