Santa, At A Distance.

The stores that remain, have cleared their holiday deck, 

thanks to small business loans and one stimulus check.

Ever-present is a question that remains crystal clear, 

what happens next? As we end this miserable year.

Will holiday shopping finally commence? 

That remains to be seen, Santa is at a distance.

Jolly lights how they twinkle.

Finding Kringle, that’s the wrinkle.

Dethroned from town squares and neighborhood malls, 

Santa is now online at your virtual, beck and call.

Brands and retailers dangle in suspense, 

contemplating survival with Santa, at a distance.

Six-feet ain’t so merry, shouting lists, 

and toys, and adolescent queries.

Forget hugs. Forget whispers and one-on-one chats. 

Forget worrying about where the other kids sat.

There’s no chance of Claus and COVID co-existence. 

It’s 2020 people and Santa, well, he’s at a distance.

Brick and mortar shops are seasonally vocal. 

Shop here, shop often, shop us, shop local.

Online retailers know all too well, 

that shopping in-town requires merchants to yell.

While shopkeepers continue to eke out an existence, 

Santa contemplates things, well off in the distance.

With sanitizer and masks now at the ready, 

could holiday sales actually be steady?

On coupons, on emails targeting parents and tykes. 

Seasons greetings to all, did we get tons of likes?

Proprietors press-on showing courage and persistence. 

But is that enough, with Santa, at a distance?

Rally we must for those near and those dear, 

if we don’t act now, they won’t be here, next year.

It takes a community as the old saying goes, 

our economy needs a boost, not more issues to oppose.

It’s time to be bold and exhibit true resistance, 

no doubt we’ll survive, even with Santa, at a distance.

- Kevin W. Reszel ? 2020