Night falls before Christmas and it is quiet in the house,
No one else is stirring, except for my spouse,
I’ve hung all of our stockings with care,
And tomorrow will make it look like Saint Nick was there.

The children are all out as I got ready for bed,
With the effects of plum wine spinning my head.
Mom with her knitting and me with a night cap,
Had settled to couch and just begun to nap.

When out in the yard there arose a great deal of chatter,
I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.
I grabbed up my camera and turned on its flash,
Tore open the door and then slipped and went splash!

I fell on my ass, due to new-fallen snow,
Slipped down the steps and yelled, “Lookout below!”
When, I finally came to and my eyes began to clear,
I saw there before me family members, all very dear.

Some were quite old, others lively and quick,
I knew in a moment, this was my gift from Saint Nick.
Less rapid than eagles, like pelicans they came,
And they whistled, and shouted, and I called them by name!

“Now Jaybird! now, Jane! now, Banana and Karen!
On, Janet! On, Crisco! On Frank-ski and Tristan!
Carry me to the porch! Prop me against the wall!
My brains! I’ve dashed away! Dashed away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
[This is a convoluted metaphor that last week flew,
From one of Anne’s kids, with great difficulty too.]

And then, in a twinkling, I stood on the roof,
Prancing and dancing and kicking up my hoofs.
I threw back my head, and was turning around,
When I fell down the chimney in a single bound.

I awoke dressed in bandages, from head to foot,
My piled clothes, all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys had been used to prop up my back,
I looked like a peddler, having fallen on his pack.

But their eyes-how they twinkled! Jay’s dimples were merry!
Jane’s cheeks were like roses, Karen’s nose like a cherry!
Frank’s droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of Chris’ chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe I found clenched in my teeth,
And strange smoke circled my head like a wreath.
I had a broad smile and a little round belly,
Which shakes when I laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

I’m chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw my reflection, in spite of myself!
A wink of Jay’s eye and a twist of Carl’s head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

They spoke not a word, but went straight to their work,
Even though Clement Clarke Moore thinks I’m a jerk.
And laying a finger aside of their nose,
And I thought that The Sting, was as far as that goes!

They sprang all away, and like a team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew some with a Scottish thistle.
But I heard Jane exclaim, ‘ere she drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

We got our snow for Christmas.  Not a lot, but enough.  The pictures are from early Friday, so there is more snow on the ground now.  Apologies to Clement Clarke Moore.  Everyone else, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!