Twas’ the night before Christmas
And all through the shack,
Not a creature was stirring,
We’d all hit Pa’s stash.
The stockings were hung
Behind the stove with worry,
That they wouldn’t be dry
For the next morning’s furry.
Us kids were all drunk,
The dog tipsy, too.
When our folks got home,
They knew not what to do.
One swift kick, I flew
Up like a flash.
Boy, Pa was ticked that
We’d got into his stash.
But, he kept his cool
And counted to ten.
When he opened his eyes,
He started to grin.
You’ve had your fun,
You’d best get up stairs,
No need to be up early,
The tree will be bare.
We stumbled on up,
Weaving from rail to wall,
Climbed into our beds
And to sleep we did fall.
When my eyes opened to
Bright light in the room,
I looked at my clock,
It showed about noon.
My head was pounding
Like the beat of a drum.
I climbed out of bed, barely
Remembering what we’d done.
Us kids all got up and
Crept down the stairs.
We looked under the tree,
There was nothing there!
We went to the kitchen,
No food was cooking.
We found but a note
For our looking.
“ You boys have been
Awful naughty this year,
You shouldn’t have gotten
Into your pa’s good cheer.
No presents, no candy,
No meal for the cause.
Perhaps next year, boys.”
Signed, Santa Clause…….
…………………………….
My brother’s voice brought
Me back from my daze,
“ C’mon, Davy!
I wanna taste!”
Out the window fell
Little white flakes.
Pa would be home soon,
There was too much at stake.
“ We’d better go to bed, Tom,
Big day tomorrow.”
I closed and locked the cabinet,
Putting back the key I’d barrowed.
That night I dreamt of presents,
Candy, and the sight
Of a jolly old fat man exclaiming,
"Merry Christmas to all and
To all a good night!"


J.G.W.
2002