Mel was Santa's

big helper, you see.

He handled the email,

with jolly and glee.

Kids from all over

use paper no more.

They're all electric,

plugged into the core.

Mel's task was to sift

through yahoo.com,

and gmail, and others

with speed and aplomb.

Requests came to Santa,

most electronically,

Mel printed them out,

yes, ironically.

If Bailey wants dolly,

and Jeff wants trains,

they emailed St. Nick,

but Mel took the reins.

Years past were better,

easier--better said,

because email these days

fills users with dread.

For example, Mel thought,

his in-box was crammed

with political outfits

sending mostly dumb spam.

Party officials

from both major blocs,

come eight times a minute

to insult and squawk:

"Give a dollar, save your country

we'll use your first name

in the subject, in the copy;

what? us feel some shame?"

It can sound so official.