A BEATEN-UP SANTA CLAUS

Ca. 1950s, the tag says,
Stares from the shelf
Where he’s propped
Against stoneware.
Someone knitted his
Outer layer, gave him
Buttons for eyes, a
Slim pillow for inner
Life if not likeness,
Then at some point
Passed on or at least
Left him to his fate.

Stuffed fabric stuck in
An antiques shop isn’t
How most of us envision
Father Christmas in his
Dotage. Get me out of
Here, you can hear him
Appeal. Of course, far
Worse circumstances
Befall figures less well
Known. That stoneware
Could be a toy. People
Looking could be kids.