Twas The Night Before

Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas,

when all through the house two creatures were stirring,

came dragging my blouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Don and Linda were nestled all snug in their beds,

while visions of a quiet,

peaceful night danced in their heads,

Linda in her flannel and Don in his jocks, covers up to chins, four feet warmed by socks.

When down in the living room there arose such a clatter,

we sprang from our bed to see what was the matter. 

Down the stairs we ran,

into the kitchen, with the stove we clashed. 

Rounded the corner, the vision of a long,

peaceful night dashed.

The moon through the window shown on the new-fallen tree, showing the luster of ornaments and broken glass

to Don and Me. 

When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,

but two Siamese Cats peering out from the mess,

blue Eyes clear.

It was two onery cats, so lively and quick,

We knew in a moment it wasn’t St. Nick. 

More rapid than eagles,

 up off the floor they came as we whistled and shouted

and called them by name.

Oh TinYan, how could you,

what made you do it? 

No SuChi, out from there, are you the culprit? 

Out TinYan, come SuChi, off the tree,

off the étagère, and off the filigree,

now settle down you two,

go to bed, both of you, dash away, dash away,

don’t wait to be led.

As quiet and slinky as possible,

knowing they’ve been naughty,

they head up stairs for their bed,

not the least bit haughty. 

Up to their room, with a light saunter,

not caring at all about the mess and the clutter,

tiptoeing into the hall.

And then in a twinkling, we found as we came stair by stair, two Siamese all curled in a ball with neatly groomed hair.

 We headed for bed and were just settling in,

when down the chimney came Santa neat as a pin.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, he surveyed all the mess, the glass and the soot,

with the bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

He thought, “I know THESE Siamese

and they’ll sure give me flack”.

His eyes how they twinkled!  His dimples, how merry! 

 His cheeks plumped up and turned red as a cherry. 

His beard quivered; then he burst out in laughter, as he surveyed the scene and knew the cause of the matter.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

he looked at the ornaments torn loose from the wreath. 

When he roared with glee, his round belly shook,

“I think those cats deserve another look.”

He spoke not a word, but went straight up the stairs, 

looked in on two Meezers all snug with their Teddy Bears.   And laying a finger aside of his nose,

He decided to leave those felines all their stockings could hold.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all fly, like the down of a thistle. 

But we heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

“Ho, Ho, Ho, I LOVE those two Siamese,

They’re special and bright”!

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a GOOD, QUIET, and PEACEFUL night!!

©-Linda Richardson