THE NIGHT BEFORE

THE NIGHT BEFORE Twas the night before Christmas Just after Yule, the winter solstice Two big events need no poultice Between these dates, an isthmus All stores had now finally closed Counters emptied of festive fayre Shelves now nearly stripped bare A Rudolph toy forever red nosed Last minute gifts due for wrapping Santa is left with a billion deliveries His reindeer waiting in their liveries And tired elves told off for napping By morning, it may feel like a chore Yet a critical task worth completing But houses now have central heating With no working chimneys anymore