The rhythmic thump thump of hooves

Pound loudly on the roof

Bells on the reins jingle

As he disembarks from the sleigh

I know my eyes must stay closed

Or he’ll disappear from sight

Each year, the hooves become quieter and quieter

Until it’s nothing but the soft patter of rain

Each year, my eyes open a little bit more

Until I’m wide awake

Nobody tries to hide it from me anymore

I know the man in the red suit isn’t real

But I still pretend to hear them

Because he still believes

He hears the hoofbeats

Pounding loudly on the roof

Eventually, the hoofbeats will fade for him too

But he, like the rest of us, will pretend

For those who come after him

That he still hears the hoofbeats