Twas the Night Before Christmas ...

When all by the hearth,

Not a creature was dressed -- not even a scarf.

We sat in our stockings, heads hung in despair.

For St. Nick was coming, and what would we wear?

The children were longing to nestle in bed,

My parents -- so tired they were bobbing their heads.

And I in my kerchief, and Joe in his cap,

Drew close to the fire -- all too cold to nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I urged Joe to find out what was the matter.

Away to the window he spun like a globe,

Tore open the sash and threw on a robe.

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 fleece from his head to his toe,

Pajamas covered with polar bears in the snow.

A bundle of jammies he had flung on his back,

And he looked like the Sandman just opening his pack.

He was sleepy and plump, a right dreamy old elf,

And I yawned when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye, and a pat of his breast

Then gave me to know I would soon get to rest.

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

And dressed us in PJs, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his head,

And giving a nod, he sent us to bed.

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 linked to this site,

"Order here for next Christmas; now you'll find them half-price!"