'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
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Barden Avatar
December 12, 2018 at 12:24 AM
Blessings and sincerest congratulations for your win in Joseph's fun Christmas contest, Janice - I pray you and yours have a happy and healthy holiday season! Keep the ink flowing, my friend! :-) <3
Canerdy Avatar
December 12, 2018 at 8:47 AM
THANK YOU so much, Greg! Merry Christmas! Janice
Rodrigues Avatar
December 9, 2018 at 7:59 PM
Congrats on top win!
Canerdy Avatar
December 9, 2018 at 8:47 PM
Thanks so much, Kim! Janice
Flood Avatar
December 9, 2018 at 5:16 PM
Crikey Janice. Toward the end there, I was thinking about werewolves. Hmm... Christmas shopping, I reckon you got it about right. Well done.
Canerdy Avatar
December 9, 2018 at 8:47 PM
Thanks so much, Terry! Janice
Allison Avatar
December 9, 2018 at 3:34 PM
Dropping back with my congrats Janice:-) hugs Jan xx
Canerdy Avatar
December 9, 2018 at 8:46 PM
Thanks so much, Jan! Janice
Toluwalope Gideon Avatar
November 26, 2018 at 10:06 AM
You've made a judicious use of imagery and I love the vivid pictures you've painted herein.
Canerdy Avatar
November 26, 2018 at 10:55 AM
Thank you so much, Adeniji! Janice
La France Avatar
November 23, 2018 at 11:08 AM
Janice, wonderful write, and so right on, that is exactly what happens. Today is Black Friday for shopping here in Canada, whatever that means, anyways lots of sales etc, so it would be dangerous to try to shop, I might meet up with some of those people in your poem. Apparently people started standing in line at 6AM. well done poem and best of luck in the contest, already a winner for me ~
Canerdy Avatar
November 23, 2018 at 11:51 AM
Thank you so much, Dear Heart! I don't shop on Christmas Eve OR Black Friday. A few minutes ago a friend told me she'd been shopping and everything was calm and civilized. I figure if I ventured out, all the crazies would come out of the woodwork at the same time! LOL!! Janice
Green Avatar
November 23, 2018 at 8:49 AM
Really funny and so well written Janice. This flows smoothly, much more so than the lines at the malls. : ) Best of luck in the contest
Canerdy Avatar
November 23, 2018 at 11:51 AM
I love this comment, Chris! Janice
Cunningham Avatar
November 23, 2018 at 2:37 AM
Very rare do I shop Christmas eve, done it once, never again, the pushing and shoving is not for me, will sit by the fire with a glass of port instead. Good. Luck. Tom.
Canerdy Avatar
November 23, 2018 at 8:02 AM
I don't do it either, Tom. Nor do I shop on Black Friday! Janice
Devonshire Avatar
November 22, 2018 at 11:01 PM
Very cute, Janice, and unfortunately there's a lot of truth here as well. Hope You are having a great holiday weekend. Sending winning wishes for success in the contest Hugs, Carolyn
Canerdy Avatar
November 22, 2018 at 11:40 PM
Thanks so much, Carolyn! Janice
Allison Avatar
November 22, 2018 at 5:59 PM
Your funny imagery made me smile Janice and also grateful we don't do much Christmas shopping and avoid shopping centers!:-) hugs Jan xx
Canerdy Avatar
November 22, 2018 at 7:14 PM
Thanks so much, Jan! I don't do the last-minute thing, but I know people who do--and those who will risk their LIVES tomorrow!! Janice
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