Stormy Christmas Eve
A Stormy Christmas Eve
It had been snowing all day and
the skies were looking glum.
My mama started crying when
the mailman didn’t come.
Tomorrow would be Christmas Day;
Dad said, “I’ll ride to town.”
He put his warm raccoon coat on
and pulled his big hat down.
Then my mama began to fret.
I saw her fingers drumming.
“Do you think that you really should?
I fear a storm is coming”.
My daddy said, “I’ll be okay
if I am riding Dan.
You know that horse will find the way.
He’s smarter than a man.”
Then Mama gave him a big kiss
and said, “Now do take care.”
She waved him off into the storm
and wiped away her tear.
My mama plucked the turkey and
kept looking at the clock
while little brother prattled on
about his Christmas sock.
The storm was growing stronger and
the light turned into dark,
while I was just a wishing I
would hear old Ringo bark.
Mama lit the kerosene lamp
and started slicing bread.
“I should have told him Christmas could be late.”
I think she said.
About then I heard Ringo bark
and saw my mama smile.
I knew I’d hear my daddy at
the back door in a while.
That horse of Daddy’s brought him
safely home through blowing storm.
He said that he was glad to be
back home where it was warm.
Then he said he’d met a stranger
while on his homeward way.
He recognized old Santa Claus
with reindeer and red sleigh.
Santa said he would be happy
to lighten up his pack
and be obliged if Daddy would
relieve him of plump sack.
So little brother went to bed
to wake to a surprise
from Santa Claus whom our Daddy
had seen with his own eyes.
By Joyce Johnson
(inspired by “Seein’ Santa” picture)
Copyright © Joyce Johnson | Year Posted 2011
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