The GameGrin Christmas Poem

'Twas the night before Christmas, and on Live of Xbox
The children were cursing, such language that shocks;
The stockings were hung with great expectation,
In hopes that soon would come a new PlayStation;

The youngsters were finally sent to their beds,
While visions of shooters played out in their heads,
Now mother and father with presents to wrap,
This year's blockbuster game; more recycled crap

They had begged and pleaded like all their classmates
Who cares for such matters as age certificates?
So parents relented and bought them their game
The violence exceptional - last years looks tame.

With preparations finally all but done,
The parents retired to await the new day's sun.
When out of the sky came an expected guest,
You could tell by his face he was far from impressed.

"The presents you have chosen have left me dismayed;
"More thought should be put into the games that are played.
"I am a gamer too, it might shock you to know,
"There's not much to see up North, apart from the snow!

"On Xbox; on PlayStation; and on PC too,
"Once I get to the shops, you can add the Wii U.
"Across all platforms I encounter such scum,
"Those who set out intent on spoiling my fun.

"Cheaters and griefers I'll get to in time;
"But the foul-mouthed youths are a pet peeve of mine."
The parents concerned to see Nick far from jolly,
Could their purchase really be quite such a folly?

Then suddenly came a twinkling from his pocket,
He pulled out his phone and swiped to unlock it.
"Pardon my rudeness, please don't think me a bore,
"But it seems Mrs Claus has beaten my high score!"

He stared in deep concentration at his mobile,
Tapping and tilting in extravagant style.
Minutes passed and he took a seat in the chair,
Seemingly forgetting that the parents were there.

Sensing a commotion, the kids entered the room,
The handheld device illuminating the gloom.
Rubbing sleep from their eyes they approached with caution,
Shocked by the figure in red sitting before them.

Mother did cough, which gave the old man quite a fright,
"How silly of me" he cried, "I don't have all night!
"I stopped here tonight to give you a warning,
"Playing this game can just wait till the morning.

"I bring a message for your children and their kin;
"A change in behaviour I would like to begin.
"Remember that gaming should be firstly fun,
"It may seem unlikely when firing a gun.

"There's no need to be rude or to cause a nuisance,
"Even the best of us were new to games once."
He thought for a moment and rubbed his round belly;
"And try spending some time away from the telly."

The children bid him farewell; their lesson was learned,
Saint Nick headed for the chimney, then stopped and turned.
"Now heed my words or prepare to face my toll,
"And I'll replace your DLC with lumps of coal!"

"So remember in this time of joy and good will,
"Respect your fellow gamers, whatever their skill"
As he travelled the world, his message was the same;
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good game!