A Midsummer Night's Christmas Delight

Big brothers, big sisters, many of whom Had never heard the sound of children's laughter Opening presents on Christmas morn Planned a summer outing to a local theater On July First, for children from ages six to thirteen The curtain rose on a Midsummer Night's Dream Pip, true to character, eyes shone with wonder And nary a child's dream could be put asunder As fairies danced astage like sugarplums through toddlers' heads Especially the youngest, these children of single parents Never exposed to Shakespearean delights in an enchanted forest Like Santas we felt bestowing culture to a captivated audience Hoping this Christmas in July would grant them a sense of permanence All children deserve to feel such love and faith in visions magical With love among forest sprites and poetry of dreams fantastical Stopping for ice cream floats on the evening ride home A nine year old with a fairy wand turned her friend into a gnome And for a brief time these blessed children forgot their broken homes The fathers or mothers who'd left them behind made no curtain calls For children inspired by Shakespeare's fire could light up any hall So they dashed away, pranced away, danced away all As the bus ride came to a halt The cultural presence that sprang from their hearts Would outlive any gifts from Santa Clause It was more than a deed done for a good cause For one evening at least they had something more Than children who lived in mansions They'd shared beauty and grace Gifts beyond most youngsters' comprehension From strangers who did not through chimneys drop Nor offer explanation Great tidings of cheer that filled children's ears Brought such jubilation Big brothers and sisters needed no whiskers to beam with joy overcome And yet as we disembarked and sent each sleepy child home A familiar train, deer and sleigh, seemed to streak across the moon The true spirit of Christmas on July First had made its presence known