‘Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the house,
not a creature was stirring,
except for one mouse.
The stockings were hung
by the chimney with care,
in hopes that in the morning,
lots of toys would be there.
We children weren’t nestled,
all snug in our beds,
we were downstairs awaiting,
for that big man in red.
And I in my p.j.’s,
and Steph in Mom’s lap,
had just settled down
for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn,
there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the couch,
to see what was the matter.
Away to the window,
I flew like a flash,
tore open the curtains,
and threw up the sash.
The street light out on the breast
of the new-fallen snow,
gave a luster of mid day
to objects below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but some family and friends,
come to visit this year.
With a clunk and a honk,
they pulled up the drive,
and I knew our company
had arrived.
With packages and gifts,
and goodies they came,
and I waved to them,
not remembering all names.
Hello uncle, hi aunt,
hey cousin, and friend,
hi neighbor, hello,
hey Grammie, come in!
To the top of the porch,
and into the hall,
“Hello everybody!,
nice to see you all!”
As eskimos out in the
cold and white snow,
they gathered ’round the fireplace,
to warm up their toe.
We sat there and talked,
as their bodies warmed,
and around that hot fire,
those people did swarm.
And through all the laughing,
I still could hear,
the crackling of the fire,
that I was sitting near.
As I twisted my head,
and was turning around,
I saw my dad standing there,
not making a sound.
He was dressed in his robe,
from his neck to his knees,
and below his old robe,
you could see his footsies.
A bundle of presents
he had in a sack.
He gave one to all of us,
and received some back.
He eyes – how they twinkled!
His dimples – how merry!
His cheeks were like roses,
his nose like a cherry!
His mouth was spread out,
in a great big smile,
and he laughed, and laughed,
all the while.
A partial cigarette,
he held tight in his hand,
and the smoke, it encircled
his head like a band.
He had a broad face,
and a small round belly,
that shook when he laughed,
like a bowl fully of jelly.
He was funny and tall,
a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him,
in spite of myself.
A stretch of his arms,
and a yawn from his head,
soon gave me to know
he was ready for bed.
He sat down on the couch, though,
and joined in on the talk,
and we sat there until
one or two o’clock.
And then it was time
for folks to go home,
so out the door,
they all did roam.
Into their cars,
they all took a seat,
and pulled out of the drive,
and into the street.
But I heard them exclaim,
as they drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas, y’all,
and to you a good night!”
Kerry Nenn (Jones)
December 1989
nennpen.com 