Iwao Adachi Mouth painter © ~*~ The Night Before Christmas *** or A Visit from St.Nicholas *** by Clement Clarke Moore ~*~ 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window 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 his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; "Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN! On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!" As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my hand, 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. His eyes -- how they twinkled! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. 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; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, 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!" ~*~ T C Wells Mouth painter © ~*~ 'Twas The Day After Christmas *** David Frank ~*~ 'Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house Children sat slack-jawed, bored on the couch. *** Wrappings and toys littered the floor, An incredible mess that I did abhor. *** With Mom in her robe and I in my jeans, We waded in to get the place clean. *** When suddenly the doorbell: it started to clatter, I sprang to the Security-View to check out the matter. *** The new-fallen snow, now blackened with soot, Was trampled and icy and treacherous to foot. *** But suddenly in view, did I gasp and pant: An unhappy bill collector and eight tiny accountants. *** The door flew open and in they came, Stern-looking men with bills in my name. *** On Discover, on Visa, on American Express, On Mastercard too, I sadly confess, Right to my limits, then beyond my net worth, OVer the top I had charged, in a frenzy of mirth. *** The black-suited men, so somber, so strict, I wondered why me that they had first picked. *** They stared at me with a look I couldn't miss, That said "Buddy, when are you for paying for this?" *** I shrugged my shoulders, but then I grew bolder Went to the cabinet and pulled out a folder. *** "As you can see," I said with a smile, "It's bankruptcy that I'll have to file!" And with a swoop of my arm, my middle digit extended I threw the bills in the fire: the matter had ended. *** The scent of burnt ash came to my nose, As up the chimney my credit-worthiness rose. *** Without another word they turned and walked out, Got into their limos, but one gave a shout: "You may think that's the answer to all of your fears, But it's nothing you'll charge for at least seven years! ~*~ 'Twas The Night... 'Twas the night before Christmas, He lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone. ** I had come down the chimney with presents to give, and to see just who in this home did live. ** I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. ** No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand, on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands. ** With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sober thought came through my mind. ** For this house was different, it was dark and dreary, I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly. ** The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home. ** The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, not how I pictured a United States Soldier. ** Was this the Hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed? ** I realized the families that I saw this night, owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight. ** Soon round the world, the children would play, and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day. ** They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, because of the soldiers, like the one lying here. ** I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home. ** The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry. ** The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, "Santa don't cry, this life is my choice; ** I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more, my life is my God, my country, my Corps." ** The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep. ** I kept watch for hours, so silent and still and we both shivered from the cold night's chill. ** I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark, night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. ** Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, whispered, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day, all is secure." ** One look at my watch, and I knew he was right. "Merry Christmas my friend, and to all A Good Night." ** Author: Unknown