RHYME TIME
by John T. Baker
Young Santa always loved to rhyme,
He seemed addicted to it;
His mother shuddered every time
She heard the youngster do it.

The ever-fearful Mrs. Claus
(Her given name was Cheryl)
Reacted with alarm because
She recognized the peril.

She constantly was filled with fright
(Though struggling not to show it);
She trembled that the boy just might
Turn out to be a poet!

She tried to warn her wayward son
Of his predicament
But he would only rhyme and pun
And fail to take a hint.

Then Mr. Claus became perturbed
(His given name was Palmer)
To see his wife so much disturbed
And did his best to calm her.

"Don't get upset, it's just a fad
And gone before you know it;
He's going through a phase, the lad
Is bound to soon outgrow it."

And sure enough, he reached his prime,
Was just another slob,
And lost his rhyme when it came time
For him to get a job.

But now when Santa takes his ride
And lands upon the shingles,
He's rhyming still deep down inside
As every sleigh bell jingles.

So mothers now, as mothers then,
Should all be warned in time:
"Beware! you see what happens when
You let your children rhyme!"