A Little Elf-Awareness

The elves congregated

In the back room of the shop,

Muttering amongst themselves

And chattering on nonstop.

 

One elf stood on a table

And scanned the angry crowd.

He raised his hand to shush

The others from getting too loud.

 

"Fellow elves, be quiet;

We have work to do.

This isn't just a trivial

Elven ballyhoo.

 

"Santa's expectations

Have risen exceedingly.

He takes no action when

I ask him pleadingly

 

"For a raise in pay

And better working conditions.

He only chortles and laughs

And speaks of old traditions."

 

An elf spoke up from the group:

"The reindeer have it made.

We all work our butts off;

But see how little we're paid.

 

"Why they earn so much

Isn't really clear

When they only work

ONE night of the year!

 

"Platitudes and promises

Do nothing to assuage

Angry workers. Santa

Must increase our wage!"

 

"Yes," chimed in another.

"Not keeping up with inflation,

Our pay keeps us living

In serious deprivation.

 

"Our benefits also haven't

Kept up with the times.

They are slashed while

The cost of insurance climbs.

 

"I know we've a lot to do,

And I think we're pretty meticulous,

But the hours we're forced to work…

I mean…this is ridiculous!

 

"And what about part-time elves

Who have little enjoyment

Working for no benefits?

You call that employment?"

 

Disgruntled, all the workers

Considered taking action

And wondered what to do

To get some satisfaction.

 

Another elf said, "Santa's

Heavy demands are an onus.

And we elves don't even

Get a Christmas bonus!

 

"Frankly, it takes every

Ounce of faith I can muster

To think that dear ol' Santa's

Not a union buster!

 

"Furthermore, there's something

That I've got to say:

We all have to strive

For equality of pay."

 

"Yay!" the elves shouted

And in unison chanted:

"Equal pay: Yes!

Take nothing for granted!"

 

The work discussion lingered

Well into the night.

They knew that gaining ground

Would require a fight.

 

(In thinking about life,

Struggles, work, and fairness,

It doesn't hurt anyone

To have some elf-awareness.)

 

Eavesdropping here,

You've seen for yourself

That life's not always peachy--

Even for an elf.

 

Let's just hope that Santa

Doesn't be a jerk

And save a few bucks next year

By outsourcing the work.

 

(11-25-15)