Happy Holidays!

A Holiday Tale from the folks on Irving Avenue:

'Twas the days before Christmas and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.


The stockings were hung by the pinball with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Wee Charley was nestled all snug in his bed,

While visions of dinosaurs danced in his head.


With Papa watching youtube, I arose with a heave,

And prepared myself for a long winter's eve.

When out on the street there arose such a clatter,

I waddled on over to see what was the matter.


The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.


I assumed it was one of the recycling-pickers,

Looking for empties and dregs in the liquors.


Or, maybe the yahoos from just up the street,

With small Asian cars that just throb with the beat.


But, instead it was Santa, all lively and quick,

A little bit early, but it sure was Saint Nick!


I yelled, "Hey there Santa, why don't you come up?"

"You can hang with me and my bushy-haired pup."


His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!


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

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.


(Of course, I asked him to put it right out,

And he did so, quite nicely, with none of a pout).


He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

Not bad" I exclaimed, "that's quite a nice tummy,"

"But it's feeble compared to my growth as a Mummy!".

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

He twisted and turned me around with a jerk

And, agog, I just stood there and patiently waited

And when he was done, I was all decorated.

There was also a message he left us to read

And it's one of importance, I do hope to heed.


So, that was end of the message he sent,

And that was the end of this lovely old gent.

He whisked out the door, though we asked him to stay

And left in his car...(much too soon for the sleigh).


But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Happy Holidays to all, from the Higginson-Jones'. Wishing everyone a safe and happy 2008!