'Twas the night at Caged CrossFit, in Clearwater's domain,
Not a chalk bucket was filled, they were empty, a shame.
The barbells were racked by the squat racks with care,
In hopes that PRs soon would be there.
The athletes were nestled, their hands worn and bare,
Dreaming of clean lifts and snatches with flair.
And the coach in his sneakers, and I in my cap,
Had just finished a WOD, without a time cap.
When out in the gym there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the rower to see what was the matter.
Away to the chalk bin, I flew like a flash,
Tore it open to find an empty chalk stash.
The moon on the stall mats of the gym floor below,
Gave a glimmer to boxes and weights in a row.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But St. Nicholas himself, holding buckets so near.
With a bundle of chalk, he started to fill,
Each bucket and bin to a CrossFitter’s thrill.
More rapid than burpees, his movements so deft,
He filled every bucket, from the right to the left.
He was dressed in Reeboks, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all marked with chalky soot.
A bundle of wall balls he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a coach, ready to attack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! His muscles, how merry!
His cheeks were like kettlebells, his nose like a cherry.
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a clock,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the chalk.
"Now Fran! Now Annie! Now Cindy and Diane!
On, Karen! On, Isabel! On, Grace, take a stand!
To the top of the box! To the top of the wall!
Now thruster away! Thruster away! Thruster away all!"
He was fit and ready, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Filling each bucket with a flick and a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the rope he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
"Happy CrossFit to all, and to all a chalk-filled night!"
