The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

the dusting was done (we disposed of the mouse)

the carpets were vacuumed in the lounge with a rush

then I sat with a coffee in the pre party hush.

Beatrice was pajamaded but far from her bed

While visions of friends arriving danced in her head

And husband in his elf suit with jingle bell shoes

Had his spots painted on and his cheeks all a rouged.

When at the front of the house there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my seat to see what was the matter.

Away to the front door I flew like a harlott

To throw it wide for the arrival of team Scarlett.

The fairy lights in the garden were twinkling lit

And they ushered the arrival of four Nesbitts

Before you thought that the guest list was over

We welcome a quartet of folk known as Glover.

They had come to the North Pole for a party, you see

Dressed in pajamas and one pink nighty.

So we sorted them out and when we were able

We sat them all down around the big table.

They each put a Santa hat on top of their head

Then took to icing some fresh gingerbread.

Their cookies for Santa were art, worth a view

Even though Seth had nibbled on one or two.

Then the elf to the kitchen quickly departed

To pour out the pink milk and get hot chocolate started.

But she whispered to Jacob, with a smile on her face

To have a quick check of the lounge fireplace.

He promptly returned holding a letter aloft

(it was slightly sooty and the paper was soft)

The writing was loopy and joined up...it was bad

For reading, so Jacob passed it to his dad.

The letter came from the North Pole by fireplace flu

And Santa had a word for each child that he knew

He noted their successes since he saw them last year

And told them he loved them and filled them with cheer.

Then one by one, to the study they went

To watch the video that Santa had sent.

They all were relieved to discover that their

name was on the nice list as they sat in the chair.

There was a moment of worry, as Jacob watched with eyes wide

When Santa warned him to be good, (he knew he had tried)

But his name was on the nice list and on the bad

So he had to work hard to make Santa glad.

Then they all worked together to fill some small tubs

with food for the reindeer (they do like their grub)

There were oats, cocoa power and even some glitter, why

the reindeer need help to see from the sky.

And after a dip in the hot chocolate fondu

Their time at the North Pole was almost through.

They departed with cookies and left on their way

As they walked to their car by our reindeer runway.

Then they sprang to their cars, to their dads gave a whistle 

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle

But I was heard to exclaim, ‘ere they drove out of sight,

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good-night”