December Substitute

By Kenn Nesbitt

Our substitute is strange because

he looks a lot like Santa Claus.

In fact, the moment he walked in

we thought that he was Santa’s twin.

We wouldn’t think it quite so weird,

if it were just his snowy beard.

But also he has big black boots

and wears these fuzzy bright red suits.

He’s got a rather rounded gut

that’s like a bowl of you-know-what.

And when he laughs, it’s deep and low

and sounds a lot like “Ho! Ho! Ho!”

He asks us all if we’ve been good

and sleeping when we know we should.

He talks of reindeers, sleighs, and elves

and tells us to behave ourselves.

And when it’s time for us to go

he dashes out into the snow.

But yesterday we figured out

just what our sub is all about.

We know just why he leaves so quick,

and why he’s dressed like Old Saint Nick

in hat and coat and boots and all:

He’s working evenings at the mall.

Copyright Credit: “December Substitute.” © 2005 by Kenn Nesbitt. Reprinted from When the Teacher Isn’t Looking (© 2005 by Kenn Nesbitt) with permission from Meadowbrook Press.

Source: When the Teacher Isn't Looking (2005)