It’s December 24th and time for New Attitude’s Christmas column. 

What better way to celebrate than with a poem entitled “The Strike Before  Frostfell”

Read on…

THE STRIKE BEFORE FROSTFELL

by Julie Whitefeather

‘Twas the night before Frostfell, when all through Freeport
All the goblins were stirring, no matter how short;
They all pulled on their socks, up over their hair
And all knew that McScroogle, soon would be there;

“Get to work,” he would shout, as they jumped from their beds,
And knock the slow ones up side of their heads;
“yer mamma” said a goblin, as he got to the door,

“She’s taking a nap”, came the retort, her shift starts at four”,

When out in the factory their arose such a clatter,
Mcscroogle came running, shouting “union rules do not matter.”
“Load up all the trucks, as fast as a flash”
“Move faster,” he yelled, “You’re wasting my cash”
Off drove the trucks through the new-fallen snow
With tires so bald, one was certain to blow
Goblins drove the old trucks, that were so hard to steer,
That some young goblins shook, soon filled with fear,
Said one old goblin driver, so lively and quick
“The driving’s not heard, so long as you know the trick”

To the first house on the list, in due course they came
McScroogle started shouting, calling each goblin a bad name
“Now, faster, move faster - no stoppin’ or sittin’”
“Your starting to make so mad that I’m spittin’”
“Unload all the presents, unload them all”
“Now two goblins dash up top of the wall”,

With each goblin in position, presents started to fly,
McScroogle looked at his watch with a sigh,

Into the house, the presents all flew,
“This is taking so long,” McScroogle said, “It’ll take time and a half too.”
Down the chimney one goblin slid from the roof
He hit with a thud, and let out an “oof”

“Send them down,” said the goblin, turning around.

Down the chimney came presents, along with a hound,
With all brown fur, from his head to his paw,
Along with a tin of tobacco chaw,
The toys came down next, inside of a pack,
All of which had been ordered, about just three weeks back.

The goblins all worked, so fast it was scary,
Outside McScroogle started to feel quite merry!
A smile appeared on his mouth - he said, “Now I know”
With a grin he said, “how to make more profits show”
“I’ll pay them half pay”,  he hissed through his teeth,
But one goblin heard, and work almost ceased.
“Work!” McScroogle yelled, “You’re stupid and smelly”
But one small goblin shook, like a bowl full of jelly
He was angry and said, “I’ve had it myself”
And he set a large box back on the truck shelf;

“McScroogle’s nuts” someone yelled, “He’s out of his head.”
And McScroogle’s heart, soon filled with dread;

Goblins sat down, and each stopped his work,
Turning around one goblin said, “McScroogle’s a jerk”
 
And sticking a finger up inside of his nose,
Said, “goblin’s are all family, right down to their toes.”
“Here’s what I say,” said the goblin, as he started to whistle,
“We’re going on strike, we want meat, not just gristle.”

And I heard goblins exclaim, as they walked out of sight,
Let McScroogle deliver presents, he’ll be working all night.”

Merry Christmas Everyone

Julie Whitefeather