A Provincetown Christmas Revel
by Carole Shander
O, little town of Provincelands,
How still we see thee lie,
In winter sleep and snow damp’d sands
Under a wintry sky.
But in sparkling monument’s shadow
There is a beam of light,
As drag queens dressed in sequined glow
Come glittering into sight.
Along came Santa in his sleigh,
Toys piled upon its shelves.
His reindeer prancing down the way
Surrounded by his elves.
“Who do I spy here?” Santa cried,
Surprise upon his face.
“’Tis we, Ptown’s joy and pride,
For the Christmas Drag Queen Race.”
“What fun,” said Santa, “Let’s begin,
And I will judge thee true,”
So furs and feathers started to spin –
Down Commercial Street they flew.
O’er ice and snow heeled boots did fly,
As the long street was lined
With spectators cheering on the side,
While boas streamed behind.
The runners’ faces were aglow,
Wigs crooked and awry,
When Santa yelled, “The winner!”
As a queen skidded into his thigh.
Santa picked him up and crowned his head
As the crowd began to cheer.
“I’m proud of you,” said Santa,
And the racer shed a tear.
“I broke the heel of my favorite boot,”
Mascara streamed down his face.
“But it was worth it,” he declared,
“Because I won the race.”
Then Santa left town smiling,
After delivering all his toys
To Ptown’s sleeping little ones,
All very good girls and boys
As he gathered up his reindeer
And lifted off about the bay,
Santa thought about the fun he’d had
And wished that he might stay.
He flew o’er the roofs of Provincetown
With a twinkle, not a frown,
And Santa was heard to muse aloud,
“This is a most unusual town.”
