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" 'Twas a Week Before Christmas"
‘Twas a week before Christmas and all through our home
Not a box left unopened, not a free space to roam. 
The stockings were slung over the back of a chair.
The ornaments were scattered from here and to there.

The children were jumping atop of their beds,
While visions of new toys danced through their heads.
And me, draped in tinsel, decided to take
Five minutes off – just a quick coffee break.

When up from the attic there arose such a clatter,
I jumped from my chair to see what was the matter.
I looked up the stairway and what did I see?
Dear hubby descending along with the tree.

The cat ran scared from his hiding space,
A cotton snow beard attached to his face.
And what did I see if my eyes did not fail?
One of last year’s candy canes stuck to his tail.

While dear husband wrestled the tree in its stand
I struggled with the lights – tangled, each strand.
Three hours later, we plugged in the tree,
And one light blinked out, then two and then three!

The snowmen were placed in the freezer, you see
By someone who feared they’d melt on the tree.
The garland, now soggy, was dropped at my feet
By the dog, who had thought it would make a good treat.

The gingerbread dolls and elves dressed in green
Somehow found their way to the nativity scene.
The nativity was missing a wise man and sheep.
The search party found them in Barbie’s pink jeep.

How pretty the lace and ribbons and bows
When tied to a toddler’s cute little toes!
I surveyed the house, the damage was thick
And I knew in a moment, I had to act quick.

I stood on a chair and made the roll call
One at a time, I beckoned them all.

Come husband! Come children!
Come one and come all!
Let’s get it together and deck out these halls!
If you want to have Christmas, you’d better stop slacking.
Clean up these messes and get yourself cracking!
If you think I am bluffing, just test me – I dare!
I’ll plug up the chimney, I’ll do it, I swear!
Santa won’t get within an inch of this place
So you’d better stop pouting and put a smile on that face!
It’s time to pitch in and cooperate
Now isn’t it fun to decorate?

Two hours later the house was aglow.
The village was set on a soft bed of snow.
The tree was sparkling, the ornaments twinkled.
The garland was hanging, the glitter was sprinkled.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.
The nativity was lovely, the sheep were all there.
The lights were all blinking, the bulbs were replaced.
The joy of the season shone in everyone’s face.

It had been a long day, it was time now for bed.
I thanked all the helpers with a kiss on the head. 

Then I lingered awhile to take in the scene.
For I knew it was the last time I’d see it this clean.