The Beer Before Christmas!

‘Twas the beer before Christmas, as I sat in the pub,
All the regulars were leaving, looking for grub.
They slid from their stools to the floor with great care,
In hopes that a hot dog soon would be theirs.

Sitting alone while the jukebox played notes,
I poured the rest of the amber ale down my throat.
It was warm in the bar, and the beer was ice cold,
The head was frothy, the color was gold.

When the man behind the bar rang a little bell,
He looked over at me and let out a yell:
“You’ve had your pretzels and you’ve had several beers,
You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”

It seemed a bit early, but I wouldn’t fight him,
This was his place and he poured to the rim.
Frozen wind hit me as I headed outside,
Should I walk the mile home or look for a ride?

As I zipped up my jacket and put on my gloves,
There came a loud jingling from the skies above.
Squinting through the streetlamps and drifts of white snow,
Something caught my eye, something giving a glow.

It was racing towards me, quickly weaving the night,
Horrifically falling from such a great height.
As it got closer, I heard a man yell: “F***”,
I got a good look. A delivery truck!

It was flying erratic, sweeping back and forth,
Smoke coming from the back, the truck coming from the north.
There was a loud sputter and a wheeze and a gasp,
The truck stopped abruptly, and let out a rasp.

The little old driver was out of the cab quick,
He wore a red outfit, his nametag said “Nick”.
He kicked at the tire and let out some swears,
Yelled towards the sky and pulled at his hairs.

He looked around the street, his complaining on hold,
“I’m already late and this crap is getting old!”
“How can I help?” I asked him as I drew near,
“First things first,” he said, “you need a beer.”

He marched to the rear and rolled open the door,
A dim light came on and lit up the floor.
My mouth stood agape as I looked at the sight,
The place was a palace, bathed all in white.

The things I saw seemed like an answered prayer.
Cases of Dick’s Double Diamond and Ninkasis’s Sleigh’r,
Ebenezer, Abominable, and Jubelale.
Winter beer everywhere, a holy grail.

“See anything you like?” He slyly asked,
“Maybe a 21^st Amendment Fireside Chat?
Or a Powder Hound, maybe a 10⁰ Below?
Help me with the truck, and take some of it home.”

“You see, I have a lot of deliveries to make tonight,
And with no truck, I may as well give up the fight.
Many good men and women are in need of beer,
And it is up to me alone to get it there.”

I rolled up my sleeves and walked to the hood,
With no ideas, but my intentions were good.
Fiddling with hoses, tightening pipes and caps,
Massaging the belts and checking the straps.

Back at the cab I turned the key to try a start,
And the simple thing I saw skipped a beat of my heart.
The panel was alite, and what did I see?
The battery was fine, the fuel was at “E”!

He spoke not a word, but went straight to work,
Grabbing a backup can, feeling like a jerk.
He opened the cap and tilted up the can,
Filling the tank of the delivery van.

The key was turned and the engine began to hum,
“Well, what do you know, I feel really dumb.”
He climbed into the truck, and pressed the pedal,
I was delighted I had decided to meddle.

He gave me a sly wink, and wiggled his nose,
While the truck began to lurch and slowly rose.
“You’re a good man, and when you get to your place,
Under your tree you’ll find 4 of your favorite case.”

He revved the engine, and let out a whistle,
And away he shot like a guided missile.
But he loudly exclaimed, as he drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”