'twas the Night Before Christmas

“Twas the night before Christmas and all through the malls there was widespread confusion and hot, frenzied brawls. Many shoppers were wanting the same bloomin’ gifts. Desperation resulted in feud-level rifts. There were four grandmas fighting for one preschool game. Their ferocity made angry pit bulls look tame. Jostling shoppers collided and bags hit the floor. Their attempts to retrieve them caused head butts and more. Loud confusion—“That’s mine!” “No, it’s mine!!”—could be heard. Startled bystanders heard more than one naughty word. Two old geezers that should have been home fast asleep bumped into a tired Santa; all three muttered BLEEP. When announcements “Ten minutes till close” hit their ears, those who hadn’t found all they desired held back tears. The wild nightmare soon ended, and tired folks went home, knowing that no time soon, crowded malls they would roam. All would vow, “NO MORE last -minute shopping for me!” Christmas morning—well-rested— all smiles by the tree, they remembered the monsters they’d been just last night and rejoiced that those creatures were nowhere in sight! November 22, 2018, entered in Joseph May's Night Before Christmas contest