The Move

Last December we saw that Santa

Had a FOR SALE sign on his "land."

Reporters went to find out whether

His property had been in demand.

"Well," said Santa, "I've had offers

From large fishing enterprises

Who want to move in and take advantage

As the ice melts and the sea rises."

The companies applied great pressure

To make Santa cave; instead he

Declined their offers, for overfishing

Had been a problem there already.

"Oil companies also want

My property in order to drill.

I told them, 'Over my dead body!'

Holy crap, if looks could kill!

"Once I thought that I could make

This work, but that was wishful thinking.

How could I survive up here

With animals dying and my land shrinking?

"Where there's tundra melting, methane

Gas is escaping into the air.

Rats from ships have entered the area;

You can find them everywhere.

"Sea currents and air currents

Both are bringing ugly pollution.

When are world leaders going to

Come up with a lasting solution?

"We are far away from large

Human populations, and yet

Our whole Arctic ecosystem

Is dangerously under threat."

Reporters noticed a weary look

Of sadness in Santa's face, which proved

That things were really affecting the man.

Where would he go if he moved?

"I thought that maybe in Switzerland

A nice, cold glacier would do.

But then again, maybe not,

For glaciers there are melting, too.

"Maybe Hawaii; maybe Tahiti.

That would be a change of scene.

I'll trade the slushy, melting ice

For somewhere colorful, warm, and green."

With that, Santa looked at his watch,

Said good-bye, and went back to work,

Trying hard to keep his thoughts

Away from places where phantoms lurk.

-by Bob B (12-9-17)