My Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas the kids were in bed,
and visions of bicycles rolled in their heads;
the bright shiny flyers of candy cane red,
and all of the toys that filled Santa’s big sled.

I sat in the basement in dim yellow light
while staring at boxes that gave me a fright;
“assembly required” on the side in plain sight;
it appears that perhaps it would be a long night.

With thousands of pieces of various size;
directions in language I don’t recognize;
I’m straining to see with my blurry red eyes;
so much for Yule tidings my cuss words revise.

But why do I do this I’m asking myself
cuz I’m not like Santa I don’t have an elf;
it’s crazy at Christmas to torture onself
just to see smiling pictures upon a bookself.

But Christmas at sunrise with two hours sleep;
the kids all excited they shout and they leap;
their smiling bright faces, a treasure to reap,
that makes it all worth it these mem’ries I’ll keep.



November 22, 2018

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 1/10/2020 6:39:00 PM
I really love this delightful poem that so aptly describes why we torture ourselves to make our children happy. Last year my husband put together a complicated dollhouse. I wasn't much help, but I sure appreciated him putting it together. It was all worth it when my granddaughter announced "this was the best Christmas she ever had!" This wonderfully rhymed delightful poem is going into my Faves! Belated congratulations on your top win John! xxoo
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 1/11/2020 4:47:00 PM
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments, Connie, I can remember putting together some sort of doll house when my daughter was young, I was up until 3 or so and I think there was much cussing done that night. But you're right, the looks on there faces make it all worth it. Thank you for the fav my friend. Hugs, John
Date: 12/15/2019 8:01:00 AM
John congratulations on your win in my Christmas writing challenge with this wonderful poem!
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 12/15/2019 9:51:00 AM
Thank you so much, Constance, and thanks for hosting the challenge. Merry Christmas my friend. Hugs, John
Date: 12/12/2018 12:36:00 AM
Love it! Blessings and sincerest congratulations for your win in Joseph's fun Christmas contest, John - I pray you and yours have a happy and healthy holiday season! Keep the ink flowing, my friend! :-)
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 12/12/2018 4:50:00 AM
Thanks so much, Greg, merry Christmas to you and yours. John
Date: 12/9/2018 4:39:00 PM
what fabulous memories John I can imagine the scene in many a household trying to get things assembled in time for the big day:-) many congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 12/9/2018 5:18:00 PM
Thank you, Jan. I have memories of several Christmas eves assembling toys but the memories are fond ones. John
Date: 12/8/2018 10:03:00 PM
The magic of Christmas and tinkering with those toys. :) Your poem still makes me smile. Congratulations John, on this win. ~ Brandy
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 12/9/2018 6:31:00 AM
Thank you, Brandy, you’re support means so much to me. John
Date: 12/1/2018 1:31:00 PM
I love this, John! It really appeals to anyone and everyone who has ever put toys/bikes together on Christmas Eve and brings back such precious memories and congrats on your placement in the contest too.
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 12/1/2018 3:11:00 PM
Thank you so much, Carole, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate your thoughts and comments. John
Date: 11/26/2018 3:44:00 PM
Oh, the joys of parenthood! What a delightful portrayal of the frustrated father trying to assemble nearly every gift that was purchased. Guess it would be hard to hide assembled bicycles, so it's a good thing you have such talent as well as a big heart. Enjoyed! Hugs, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 11/26/2018 6:47:00 PM
Thank you, Carolyn, I’m glad you enjoyed my humorous poem. Yes I spent several frustrating Christmas eves struggling with assembling toys...but that’s what parents do. All the best. John
Date: 11/24/2018 1:18:00 PM
Congratulations John, on this win. :) Such a joy reading these words again. My heart is smiling and I am softly giggling. ~ Brandy
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 11/24/2018 1:57:00 PM
Thank you, Brandy, I’m glad you enjoyed my sense of humor. I appreciate you my dear friend. John
Date: 11/23/2018 9:08:00 AM
This is great, John. It made me smile and laugh. It has much truth to it as well... Fabulous! Good Luck...Charlie
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 11/23/2018 9:23:00 AM
Thanks, Charlie, I appreciate it. Almost everyone with kids has been there one time or another. John
Date: 11/23/2018 7:32:00 AM
A great poem! Thank God you had the energy to struggle with the toys then!
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 11/23/2018 7:42:00 AM
Thanks, Ralph, I appreciate it. John
Date: 11/22/2018 4:48:00 PM
John, a beautiful poem and full of a Dads love, well done ~
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 11/22/2018 9:43:00 PM
Thank you, Constance, I appreciate your thoughts and support. John
Date: 11/22/2018 4:26:00 PM
awhhh, a labor of love , and this splendid poem would attest to that, john... huggs
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 11/22/2018 9:40:00 PM
Thank you, Nette, I appreciate it. John
Date: 11/22/2018 3:17:00 PM
Loved your verse John, mine all flown the nest now but it brought back happy memories. Did you ever have the wrong batteries moment lol. Good luck and happy thanksgiving. Tom.
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 11/22/2018 9:33:00 PM
Thanks, Tom, I appreciate it. I think I had the wrong batteries mine than once. John
Date: 11/22/2018 8:58:00 AM
Awe, and many do this, because it is worth it. Seeing those smiling faces. :) Your thoughts bring a smile on this Thanksgiving Day, about your night before Christmas. This is so cute and I enjoyed every moment. Many wonderful blessings to you my dear friend. :) Brandy
Login to Reply
Gondolf Avatar
John Gondolf
Date: 11/22/2018 9:06:00 AM
Thank you, Brandy, anyone who has children has been here. Many frustrating hours any many cuss words but you're right, the smiles on their faces is worth it. Glad you enjoyed my humorous poem. Happy Thanksgiving my sweet friend. John
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter
Hide Ad