A Key West Christmas

A Christmas tree at Key West Bight*

Twas the Bight Before Christmas 

by Sara

Twas the bight before Christmas, when all through the Keys,

Not a creature was stirring, not even manatees.

The stockings were hung on the crow’s nest with care,

In hopes that St. Nick would find them up there.

The Conchs were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of coconuts danced in their heads.

And I in my flip-flops and t-shirt and cap,

Secured the bowlines before taking a nap.

When out on the sea there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my berth to see what was the matter.

Away to the porthole I flew like a flash,

Anxious to see what had made such a splash.

The moon as it shone on the Gulf of Mexico,

Gave the luster of mid-day to sea life below.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny Key Deer.

With a little old driver, so sunburned and thick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than pelicans, his Key Deer they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Henry! Now Tony! Now Ernest and Harry!

On Caroline! On Angela! On Thomas and Terry!

To the Southernmost Point, to lower Duval!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As palm fronds that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they met with a houseboat, they rose to the sky.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the dock,

The pawing of hooves, made the sailboats all rock.

As I ran to the deck, and was turning around,

Up the mast St. Nicholas flew with a bound.

On the crow’s nest he perched as he opened his pack,

And filled all the stockings with Bacardi and Jack.

Down the mast he flew, then he paused on the deck,

Took off his fur cap, wiped the sweat from his neck.

Then he reached in his pack and he pulled out two beers,

He handed me one, then we winked and said, “Cheers!”

St. Nick sprang to his sleigh, then a conch shell he blew,

The Key Deer were prancing, as if they all knew.

Their work here was done, it was time to move on,

They must make it to Islamorada by dawn.

But I heard him exclaim as the Key Deer took flight,

“Happy Christmas, Key West, and to all a good bight!”

    

*For those not familiar with the word, a bight is a geographical term for a shallow bay. There are several here, most notably Key West Bight, where the Historic Seaport is located, and Garrison Bight, a popular marina known for its colorful houseboats.

Houseboats at Garrison Bight

Royal Palms Realty wishes you a very Merry Christmas from Key West!

 

 A lobster trap Christmas tree (by day and night) at Key West Bight

Deck the hulls with lights and holly....

Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe, on the corner of Greene and Elizabeth, turns into a gingerbread house for the holidays

 

Colorful lights adorn homes throughout New Town and Old Town Key West

Who knew vodka bottles made such spectacular Christmas decorations?

It's no wonder Santa loves Key West so much!

The Key West Golf Club neighborhood is also in the festive spirit...

 

 

Poor Frosty can't handle the heat!

 Happy Holidays from the team at Royal Palms Realty!

With best wishes from~

Scott, Sara, Paola, Rob, and Dave