The Night Santa Took a Detour

 The Night Santa Took a Detour

In a house where leg lamps glow so bright,

A boy named Ralphie stayed up tight,

For Santa’s sleigh should soon appear,

Yet silence fell his heart to pierce.

He watched the clock tick past its hour,

No jingle bells or reindeer power,

“Where is he now?” young Ralphie cried,

“My Christmas hope has surely died.”

With paws upon the window's pane,

He dreamt of gifts and danced in vain—

A Red Rider gleamed in his mind,

But Santa’s visit was unkind.

Then laughter stirred from down the hall,

Mom’s fudge declared he’d missed it all!

“No Santa trap this year,” she teased,

Yet joy and cheer were still not eased.

For though the night held no grand sight,

Ralphie’s heart shone warm and bright—

A Christmas story wrapped in fun:

Missing Santa can’t stop one.