DONNER SUMMIT NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Twas the night before Christmas, and all over the mountain

Could be heard ruckus and noise, locals cryin' and shoutin'

For the bulldozers were lined up, all chugging away,

Ready to gouge out new ski slopes the very next day.

Snow had not fallen as yet in the year,

Global warming's arrived, as so many had feared.

"Year-round construction, a developer's dream

Who cares  there's not water enough for a stream?

This tree covered hillside, we'll soon lay to waste

So before any snow falls, let us make haste!"

Yet the midnight blue sky, with stars all so bright,

Slowly became darker, clouds obscuring the light,

The air, once so warm, took on quite a chill,

And tender white snowflakes began icing the hill.

The snow piled on the dozers, covering their treads

You could only get around on skis and on sleds.

Still down the snow fell, yet more and more,

So high that it covered the bulldozers' doors.

The snow fell so long, through the following day,

It became crystal clear winter was here to stay.

The lamentation stopped, and here was the reason

The developers had to go away, at least for the season.

And up above tree line, if one listened well,

The sound of a sled, with a  merry tinkling bell,

A plaid flanneled Santa was heard, calling with cheer

Happy Christmas, and have

A developer- free year.