'Twas the Night Before Christmas at Staypineapple

'Twas the night before Christmas, when through the corridors

Not a creature was stirring due to stay-at-home orders.

The key packets were hung by the front desk with care,

In hopes that arriving check-ins soon would be there;

The guests were all nestled snug in their beds;

While visions of pineapples danced in their heads;

The auditor in his face mask and I in my gloves

Had just finished sanitizing all things with love.

When out on the street there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.

Away to the front door, I flew like a flash,

I was in such a hurry that I tripped over Dash.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a VW van with eight little people all drinking beer.    

With their luggage in tow, they moved toward the entry

I knew in a moment I’d have to act as a sentry.

More rapid than eagles with a purpose they came,

And they whistled, and shouted, and introduced themselves by name:

"I’m, Dasher! I’m Dancer!  We’re Prancer and Vixen!

This is, Comet! and, Cupid! with little, Donner and Blitzen!

Into the lobby they came, toward the front desk they flew 

With a luggage cart full of beer, and a suitcase or two—

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

Stomping and pawing and a very loud woof .

As I stepped back inside and was turning around,

Down the chimney, St. Nicholas came with a bound.

A giant ball of fur from his head to his foot,

Their pet St. Bernard was tarnished with ashes and soot;

A barrel of beer he had strapped on his back,

And he looked like a beast just waiting to attack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his wagging tail, how merry!

His lips dripping slobber, his tongue red like a cherry!

His wet little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a tree he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly

That shook when he barked, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old pup,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wag of his tail and a shake of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He made not a sound, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the beer cans; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his paw aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang into his van, to his family gave a bark,

And away they all drove in their van to the park.

But I heard them exclaim, ere they drove out of sight—

“Happy Christmas to all, thanks to Staypineapple we had such a  good night!”

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