Vail Daily columnist Richard Carnes: That’s a wrap on Christmas
‘Tis 48 hours after Christmas
And in the valley called Vail,
All the presents are unwrapped
‘Cept those still stuck in the mail.
‘Tis a great place to be
For this most wonderful week,
Even behind the stuffy gates
Of good ol’ Beaver Creek.
Christmas in Vail
Is there no finer place,
To relax from worries
With snow in your face?
It’s true we are spoiled
Our own Rocky Mountain Riviera,
It’s easy with celebs
Like Lindsey and Sarah.
We celebrate the spirit
Of holidays and snow,
While town trees are wrapped
In a tax-funded glow.
But hey, we’re not hypocrites
We just like to play,
Whether public or private
Most are happy to pay (within reason).
Even the kids are elated
Running in circles and laughing,
While merchants are worried
About holiday staffing.
We know the real world
Is still out there … somewhere,
But that’s part of the beauty
Keeping us sharp and aware.
It’s a reason we live here
But not the only one,
The options are endless
For us to have fun.
Yes, we love the mountains
Pines all covered with snow,
No amount of negative news
Can ruin our festive flow.
And this week is special
Comes but once a year,
It’s the only time to enjoy
My annual Christmas beer.
But that’s not the point
The brew’s just for me,
Yet for some of you reading
It’s your only chance to ski.
So get off your butt
And quit reading the paper,
Go get on the hill
And don’t forget your wax scraper.
It’s why you are here
Whether meek, freak or chic,
No matter what you are back home
Go work on that downhill technique.
Yes, the economy stinks
And unemployment does suck,
We have Congress to thank
Their wild spending’s run amuck.
But Bin Laden is dead
Of this we are certain,
Yet what concerns us now
Is behind Iran’s nuclear curtain.
Yet while most still worry
About some nutcase ayatollah,
We concentrate on building
A brand spankin’ new gondola!
And this is the one time of year
We’re all nice to each other,
Sharing food and drink
With politeness we smother.
The snow finally showed (sort of)
A thick blanket of fluff,
Reminding us for a bit
That life’s not so rough.
So though much is a mess
And all seems in trouble,
We’re still safe and warm
In our Rocky Mountain bubble.
Yes, the world can be nasty
Full of evil and strife,
But for us in the Vail Valley
It is indeed a Wonderful Life!
P.S.
Read it and weep
Try your best not to get sick,
Even though you just read
The 12th crappy Christmas poem, by Dick.
Richard Carnes of Edwards an be reached at poor@vail.net.
