Christmas Charter Magic
Rebecca and I pick up our next charter guests tomorrow afternoon so knowing how busy we’ll be over the next couple of weeks, posting here may be scarce. I’ll share this today instead of waiting until Christmas when it’s guaranteed that we’ll be busy. Happy holidays everyone!
Christmas Charter Magic
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through our boat,
Not a sound could be heard, not even a note;
Our guests were well fed, dinner prepared with much care,
Many drinks were consumed, empty bottles here and there;
The guests were now nestled all snug in their beds,
While Captain and Mate rested their weary heads;
The day had been long but it wasn’t too rough,
The weather was warm so we slept in the buff;
When out on the water there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from our bunk to see what was the matter;
Up on the deck I flew like a flash,
Stubbing my toe as I made the mad dash;
The moon on the water, shimmered like glass,
Made it easy to see that our anchor still held fast;
But what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a huge charter boat, off our bow, far too near;
Paying absolutely no mind to our vessel off their rear,
It must be a bareboat, yes, our greatest fear;
Gathered together on the bow, there was quite a crowd,
Another man at the helm shouting to them quite loud;
“The anchor’s on the bottom, it must be OK,”
Do they know what they’re doing? Have they been drinking all day?
To the stern they all ran, piling into the dink,
The tender so small I was afraid it might sink;
Where would they be going this late in the day?,
Alcohol does strange things so it’s quite hard to say;
Unaware of the drama, our guests continued to sleep,
My mate and I worked with nary a peep;
With me at the helm and the mate at the bow,
Not waiting for dawn, we wanted to move our boat now;
The anchor chain it came up slowly link by link,
Having done this so often we hardly needed to think;
Our only concern was the yacht dead ahead,
Was he over our anchor? That couldn’t be said;
As we inched ever closer, prepared to fend off,
A bright star twinkled down on us from aloft;
Or was it a star because it appeared far too red,
Could it be a sleigh flying with Rudolf up ahead;
As amazing as that was we focused on our task,
Our anchor now off the bottom, our boat free at last;
We maneuvered the vessel to a safe and calm bay,
Reset our anchor for the second time that day;
Once the boat was secured and we had time to think,
Was that really Santa Claus or do I need a drink?
Several days had gone by without a full night’s rest,
So to our bunks we retired, getting some sleep would be best;
Dawn came far too soon but we awoke nonetheless,
The breakfast must be made, quietly and without mess;
Surprised we both were as we entered the galley,
The coffee already was made, warm bread at the ready;
How could this be so with our guests still in bed,
Could it have been Santa, that man dressed in red?
We all know the magic that can happen when on charter,
Perhaps Santa was afraid that we’d work ever harder;
About this whole ordeal, to our guests nothing we will say,
Except Merry Christmas and let’s have a great day!
Original version: Clement Clarke Moore
This version: Mike Sweeney
I laughed really hard when you stubbed your toe. And also at the rest of the poem.
That’s likely what would have happened too!
Very clever! Have a fabulous charter and I’m sure your Christmas will be Merry….. Wishing you both a fantastic 2014.
Thanks, Noreen. Happy holidays to you too!
Excellent! Well done.
I won’t quit my day job to pursue being a poet professionally. 🙂
“Merry Christmas” Mike and Rebecca from a grey, cold and windy Oxfordshire England.
No offense but I’m glad we’re not there with you. 🙂
Happy Holidays for you too guys!
Thanks, Maggie. I hope the watermaker install is progressing as you had hoped.
Water maker installed … yay!! Next on the list solar panels 🙂
Awesome! Hope it went without a hitch.
Great poem! Wishing you and Rebecca a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year … don’t work too hard! =)
Well, we will be working hard but having fun at the same time. Merry Christmas.
Pretty good…pretty good
Merry (almost) Christmas!
🙂
Thanks!
This is great!!! 🙂 Thanks for the Cruiser Christmas Cheer!!
-Jody
You’re welcome, Jody!
Well-done. Have a very Merry Christmas both of you.
Thanks, Sis! Merry Christmas to you too.
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
It could have been worse, – you might have sung it to solo guitar!
Hope to hear from you occasionally.
Otherwise, Merry Christmas to you, AND your guests.
Cheers!
Mike
Guitar video on youtube to follow. 😉
Merry Christmas and Happy/prosperous New Year
Thank you very much!
great poem
How I spend my early mornings. 🙂
Fantastic
love the blog have a good Xmass
Thank you, Greg. Same to you.
Great Mike!! VERY Funny! Best luck with your back-to-back charters and hope the Christmas weather cooperates!
Paul & Sheryl
Thanks, guys!
Congratulations on making the 2000 fan milestone on your Facebook page. Your videos rock!
Merry Christmas Mike and Rebecca from Steve & Kelly on S/V Shalayla in Nanny Cay. We enjoyed your poem.
Thank you, guys. Merry Christmas to you too!
Sorry Mike, that one went right over my head. Thought you copied it from someone else but now after reading the comments, great poem, really great poem.
I’ve been busy and not staying so “in tune” to your blog. Have a great charter or two and we both hope you guys have a great Christmas and Happy New Year.
Charter On!
You don’t need to stay “in tune.” You’re livin’ it, my friend!