[CH] "Twas the Night Before Xmas with Dave DeWitt

Sunny Conley (sunny@zianet.com)
Wed, 23 Dec 1998 17:35:21 -0700

     ‘Twas the night before Christmas
     Chef Dave DeWitt was a mess
     Red chile sauce clung to his chin and his chest
     Mama, dressed in a green chile gown,
     Was all snuggled in bed
     While visions of hot peppers heated her head
     Chile stockings had been hung by the chimney with care
     Knowing that Chile Claus would soon be there
     The Old Man preferred spicy pork tamales
     It’s the only thing left, he said, that gave him his jollies
     But the pork never thawed, it was still in the freezer
     The cornhusks were missing along with dog Geezer
     The Chef fretted wringing his hands raw
     This Christmas he worried he’d get nothing at all.
     And the pantry was empty of cayenne and pasilla,
     The pods needed for Christmas Day in Mesilla.
     But just when DeWitt was ready to concede
     There was a clatter on the roof and the sound of speed
     Away to the window he flew like a flash
     Tore open the shutter and threw up the sash
     When what to his wondering eyes should appear
     But a miniature sleigh led by eight Chile Deer
     Each carried tamales and peppers galore
     Which they gave to the Chef - New Mexico’s Chile Conquistador.

     “We Chileheads stick together!” Chile Clause said with glee
     As DeWitt wiped a tear showing indeed he’d agree
     “Now Serrano! Now Aji! Now, Habanero and Serrano!
     On Pimento, On Tepin, On Thai and Poblano!
     There’s more chile to give and cheer to impart
     Feliz Navidad all! It’s time to depart!
     ----------Sunny Conley
     (http://www.chileknights.com)
     Dave DeWitt is an author and the publisher of Fiery Foods
     Magazine. He also produces the Fiery Foods Shows.