The night before CHristmas

[ejano]

T’was the night before Christmas,

when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, except for the mouse

that Tiger Lily was chasing in the Laundry Room.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

 

The puppies were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of beef bones danced in their heads.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

 

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

The puppies were barking and Ladybug growled.

They sprang from their beds

Happy to greet who ever was there.

Away after them I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

 

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

More rapid than eagles the puppies they came,

And I whistled, and shouted,

and called them by name!

 

"Now Brodie now, now, Robin and Ladybug HALT!

Come back, come back, come back you all!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

They dashed away, dashed away! Dashed away all!"

 

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

 

 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished

with ashes and soot.

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

 

He was chubby and plump, 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.

But he on the other hand, might end up in shreds!

 

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

Robin lunged for his sack.

Brodie leaped at his beard.

Ladybug growled and held up the rear.

 

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

Santa glared at the puppies all bouncy and bold

Away with you all, you naughty beasts!

You’ll have no Christmas Feast!

And giving a nod, up the chimney 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, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

 

Robin sat still. Brodie looked sad.

Ladybug sighed and slipped to the floor.

Tiger Lily smirked from her perch by the door.

“I told you not to be bad,” she said with a purr.

 

(The obligatory reindeer antlers pic)