12/24/2024
“Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse,
I rushed to the Clinic with my coat and my case,
In the hope to see Santa from my hiding place.
The chairs all had blankets of yellow and blue,
The lights glowed like amber in a soft, mellow hue,
The cotton balls stacked in their cups by the doors,
The needles, on plates, with none strewn on the floors.
I laid out some cookies and almond milk, too,
Along with a book on nutrition and gu,
Alongside some moxa and curing pills neat,
To help Santa deal with his craving for sweet.
I hid behind blankets and tables and chairs,
And attempted to practice some nonchalant stares,
To spy Old Saint Nick in his festive regale,
All red, white, and jolly from head down to tail.
Then there came such a thumping of feet through the door,
In burst Saint Nick all rotund and galore,
He smiled as he glanced first left and then right,
To ensure he was safe all alone in the night.
He crept past reception, the office, and herbs,
Then stopped at our patient wall chock full of blurbs,
He read through them slowly and smiled more than twice,
Confirming his thoughts about naughty or nice.
On to the treatment rooms and around to each chair,
He laid pretty gifts first here and then there,
As he came to my spot where I tried best to hide,
He saw my bald head and giggled, then sighed.
Come out oh practitioner, dear acupunk,
Don’t worry, don’t fret, don’t get in a funk,
I often find pokers tucked away behind chairs,
Hoping to catch me in total unawares.
Rest assure dear friend, I am a big fan,
Of needles and herbs, especially xiao yao san,
I love getting tuina and cupping works well,
Just don’t give me bruises or cause me to swell.
I thanked him for his kindness and sharing of thoughts,
For cheer on this holiday and all that he brought,
He ate all the cookies and drank all the milk,
Then made for the door, hat, beard, bag, and red silk.
As he sprang to his sleigh, he let out a cry,
On Donner, on Blitzen, on Rudolph, let’s fly,
And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
I need an appointment, my pants are too tight!”
-by Steve Knobler of North Seattle Community Acupuncture