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Twas The Night Before Christmas Eve

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For The Night Before - 4 Poetry Contest Contest- Sponsored By Joseph May. 
Written 23 November 2024

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’Twas the night before Christmas Eve and it started to snow And a raw bone chilling north wind was starting to blow Mrs Claus and Santa were relaxing with a glass of mulled wine Santa said, "I hope it soon stops and that tomorrow will be fine." They finished their wine and got ready, to retire to their bed Santa knew he wouldn't relax with everything that lay ahead They were startled by shouting and banging at their front door "Who on earth is this?” said Santa and under his breath swore. Santa went downstairs and his chief elf was stood there in a panic The other elves were in the yard and were running around frantic One shouted "There's a fire in the warehouse it's burning all the toys Christmas is ruined 'cos there's no presents for all good girls and boys." He grabbed his coat, put his boots on, and rushed down to the scene And saw plumes of smoke and huge flames from the toy making machine Santa was quite concerned that one of his elves might be stuck inside Mrs Claus also came down to see what was occurring, she was mortified. Santa took a roll call and found that all the elves were safe and well And said "All our years hard work has turned to ash, this is living hell But I'm not cancelling Christmas, but I'm at a loss as to what I can do So, let's get inside from this storm and I'd like to hear ideas from you.” They went inside in the warm and Santa invited them all to sit down All the elves were quite distressed and were all wearing a sad frown "Okay, we have a big problem" said Santa “We need millions of toys Or on Christmas Day there will be heartbreak for good girls and boys." A young elf stood up and said “Phone President Biden of the U.S.A. Explain to him your terrible plight and hear what he has to say" Santa got through to the president and explained his dire situation The president was quite concerned and said, "I'll find you a solution." About an hour later the president rang back, and he had this to say "As we speak two hundred 3D printers are now heading your way Along with twelve big tents, personnel, and a large forklift truck They'll be with you in a few hours and I wish you the best of luck." Thankfully, just a few hours later the fierce blizzard had abated Then they heard sounds of chinook helicopters, Santa was elated Everyone rushed outside to greet them as they came into land If we pull this off thought Santa, I must shake the president's hand. Troops unloaded the chinooks and soon all the tents were erected Santa was smiling now;  because this was better than he expected Twenty 3D printing specialists from Microsoft were all on hand too To guide the bemused elves because they hadn't a clue what to do. Everyone pulled their weight and they worked throughout the night And created a huge mountain of kid's toys; it was a beautiful sight Then an elf drove the forklift truck and loaded the toys onto the sleigh All in red sacks for Santa to deliver them, worldwide on Christmas Day. The tents were dismantled and the chinook teams got ready to go Santa got everyone to line up and Mrs Claus took a group photo Santa thanked everyone for their assistance and had this to say “Your teamwork and going the extra mile have saved Christmas Day.” The chinooks took off and the exhausted elves headed off home to bed Santa needed rest too but wanted to make sure the reindeer were fed He finished feeding the reindeer and then went home for a hot breakfast Then went upstairs to his warm four- poster bed for a well-deserved rest. It was Christmas Eve night when he finally woke up from his deep sleep Outside it started snowing again and with strong winds was getting deep The elves brought the fully laden sleigh out and then harnessed the reindeer Santa climbed aboard shouting, “Gee up” and was soon in the stratosphere. He delivered all the kids presents and finished just before morning light And was pleased a disaster had been averted and things had gone right He set a course for the White House in DC and arrived just before dawn Then circled around it three times before touching down on the front lawn. Santa stepped down and headed for the front door and pressed the bell “Mr Ho Ho Ho is at the front door” he heard a secret service agent yell The door opened and President Biden stood there looking fine and grand Santa said, “Mr President you saved Christmas day and shook his hand”. The president was very pleased that teamwork had saved Christmas Day They chatted briefly then shook hands again and Santa was on his way Then he phoned Mrs Claus and said "Merry Christmas to you my sweet dear And I wish you every good health and happiness in the coming New Year."

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




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Date: 12/30/2024 3:16:00 PM
Christmas never fails to bring inspiration, Tom, and this lovely narrative is proof of it. Where there us a will there is a way, especially when cooperation works to perfection. ~ Regards & happy new year // paul
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/30/2024 11:06:00 PM
Thank you very much Paul, I'm happy you enjoyed it. When people work together nothing is impossible. Wishing you too a very happy new year that will bring you good health and happiness. Tom
Date: 12/30/2024 6:07:00 AM
Yay! I love that you've made Biden a hero! Great story telling with seamless rhyme. Xoxo
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/30/2024 6:50:00 AM
Thank you Crystol, I’m happy that you enjoyed it, Santa might not be so lucky next year lol. Happy new year. Tom.
Date: 12/22/2024 7:36:00 AM
The President helps save Christmas, Very nicely told Tom, Congrats on your win, Merry Christmas to you and yours
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/22/2024 8:57:00 AM
Thank you very much Joseph, thanks too for hosting the contest. Wishing you too a very happy Christmas and good health and happiness in the new year. Tom
Date: 12/5/2024 10:18:00 AM
WOW!!! What a wonderful/fun ~ write/story. You are great at storytelling. Also a fun picture... You should make this into a book. "Good Luck" Have a wonderful/blessed day writing away more great stories.............
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/5/2024 10:26:00 AM
Thank you very much Paula, I love the original night before and four years ago Joseph ran a night before Christmas contest so I do one every year. I'm happy you enjoyed the story. Tom
Date: 11/28/2024 5:57:00 AM
You rock Tom. what a beautiful Christmas story told and written in grand poetic style by no less than the master of story telling himself TOM CUNNINGHAM - a fave! BLESSINGS Jennifer.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/28/2024 6:33:00 AM
Thank you very much Jennifer, took me a while to get it together I'm happy you enjoyed the story. Thanks too for faving it. Hope your week is going well. Tom
Date: 11/26/2024 2:02:00 PM
You are the Master of wonderful tales Tom….this is a truly lovely captivating Christmas story my friend! Don’t know how l missed it! Loved it! Debx
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/26/2024 2:07:00 PM
Thank you very much Deb, I'm happy you enjoyed the story. Can't believe it's only weeks away. Congrats, I See you're in the anthology. Tom
Date: 11/26/2024 7:55:00 AM
Tom, thanks so much for this tale. You did really well with the subliminal message concerning global cooperation. OMG, what's good for the whole world will actually help us here too! I read all the comments, and I do think you should send a copy to our current US president. I doubt the next one will have the capacity to understand the emotion involved in any of this since he's only concerned with winning. He might help provided the elves and Mr. and Mrs. Claus domicile in one of his hotels from now on.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/26/2024 8:44:00 AM
Thank you very much Duke good job it happened this year or Christmas would have been cancelled lol. It's amazing when everyone works together, you can achieve so much, shame other countries don't agree to share ideas and knowledge that would benefit all of mankind. We can only live in hope. Hope you had a great thanksgiving celebration. Tom
Date: 11/25/2024 7:10:00 PM
Great tale of Christmas teamwork Tom
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/25/2024 9:54:00 PM
Thank you very much David, it's amazing what can be achieved when everyone works together. Tom
Date: 11/25/2024 12:27:00 PM
Great rhymes, flow and storytelling, Tom..
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/25/2024 1:04:00 PM
Thank you very much SO, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. I hope you are keeping well. Tom
Date: 11/25/2024 7:51:00 AM
Creative lines penned. I do hope Santa will be okay this year because I have on my list that I want a lottery ticket that is a sure winner for millions. I sure would hate for that to go up in a fire or other mishap. Thanks for sharing this one with us. Sara K
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/25/2024 9:36:00 AM
Thank you very much Sara, as long as you're not on his naughty list I'm sure you can expect a fireproof winning ticket. Lol. Tom
Date: 11/25/2024 1:32:00 AM
Dear Tom, this is such a beautiful story, and very fitting for the festive season too, i love as always how you rhyme as you write, and the flow of your storytelling kept me hooked from the very start. Teamwork always is the best and it always gets us through, although i wish politicians would care more, as most of them seems not to in this world, it would be so nice if they did. Christmas poems and movies are always heartwarming as they have happy endings and I loved reading your poem today. Sending you and your family light today and always
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/25/2024 1:41:00 AM
Thank you very much IE, I always write one of these night before poems inspired by the original. So much can be achieved by people working together. Politicians the world over only care about themselves and try to charm everyone before elections and once in make feeble excuses why they can't deliver on their promises. I'm happy you enjoyed the story. Hope you have a lovely week ahead. Tom
Date: 11/24/2024 5:11:00 PM
Tom, this looks like it took a lot of thought and hard work. Good luck in the contest!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/24/2024 8:56:00 PM
Thank you very much David, I always write one every Christmas, it started 4 years ago when Joseph held a contest inspired by the original night before Christmas poem. Joe's final act before leaving office. I might send him a copy. Tom
Date: 11/24/2024 11:20:00 AM
Tom your story telling gift delivers for the kids on Christmas. I liked the voice rendition. Enjoyed the creative theme you chose for this one. Joe finally did something we could all appreciate. Your creation took us on a journey of hope, for the kids to receive their gifts from Santa. Loved the happy ending and I wish there would be more happy endings in children's lives for Christmas, in the real world. Thank you for posting Tom and the children thank you too my friend. God bless...
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/24/2024 12:07:00 PM
Thank you very much Michael, I'm pleased that you enjoyed the story, everyone loves a happy ending, Joe will be remembered for saving Christmas, yet we look around the world and see heartbreaking scenes of people's suffering because of wars and conflicts. Tom
Date: 11/24/2024 10:02:00 AM
What a predicament Santa found himself in! I knew you'd find a way to help Santa and save Christmas for all the good little boys and girls. Turning to Biden was an Ingenius idea, Tom! haha Kinda left me thinking if this happens next Christmas, what would T-Rump have done. Oh wait... he'd still be using the Chinooks and military for other things. Your cleverness in writing these tales is outstanding, and no matter how many verses you write, you always leave me wanting more.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/24/2024 10:46:00 AM
Thank you very much Lin, I'm happy you enjoyed it, I never know when to stop lol. I hope Santa has a back up plan for next year because help might not be forthcoming and there might be a lot of sad faces on Christmas morning. Hope your weekend is going well. Tom
Date: 11/24/2024 9:08:00 AM
Brilliant storytelling. I know almost nothing about USA politics, but it is the thought that counts. Certainly an impressive poem.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/24/2024 9:22:00 AM
Thank you very much Victor, me neither, only what I read in the press. Glad you enjoyed it. Tom
Date: 11/24/2024 6:14:00 AM
You are a rhyme master and a great story teller. Here too you have exhibited your prowess as a story teller. So, President Biden's magnanimity saved Santa and delighted children all over the world. Great Christmas tale, dear Tom.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/24/2024 6:39:00 AM
Thank you very much Valsa, I'm pleased that you enjoyed the story. A shame things in life don't have a happy ending. Tom
Date: 11/24/2024 5:50:00 AM
A relevant read indeed Tom.' As burt is roaring And my dog is snoring.' Stormy weather for This seasonal write, if only life storys end would as well.'
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/24/2024 6:07:00 AM
Thank you very much Joe, I agree, we all love a happy ending, there is too much gloom as it is. Writing about happy endings does help to forget the gloom. Tom
Date: 11/23/2024 11:09:00 PM
You have such an imagination, Tom. Very well done
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/23/2024 11:27:00 PM
Thank you very much Andrea, once I get an idea I just keep going, forget to stop sometimes lol. Hope your weekend is going well. Tom
Date: 11/23/2024 9:32:00 PM
Love your Christmas story/poem Tom, I guess that president Biden would love it too, though Trump may get the hump… Beryl
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/23/2024 10:00:00 PM
Thank you very much Beryl Joe's final act lol. I might send it to him. Hope you're both OK. Tom
Date: 11/23/2024 7:15:00 PM
Tom, I enjoyed your Christmas story, very fun and creative. Best of luck in the contest.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/23/2024 9:58:00 PM
Thank you very much Tania, I'm happy you enjoyed it, I hope it wasn't too long, I forget to stop sometimes lol. Tom
Date: 11/23/2024 2:52:00 PM
A wonderful and engrossing Christmas story. Once I started, couldn't stop until I read the end. A great write.Tom.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/23/2024 9:57:00 PM
Thank you very much Subimal, I'm pleased that you enjoyed the story, hope your weekend is going well. Tom
Date: 11/23/2024 2:24:00 PM
Hi Tom, what a wonderful Christmas story you've put together, I was thinking, if it had of been president Trump,would Santa have left with the hump. Enjoy your weekend dear friend.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/23/2024 2:29:00 PM
Thank you very much John, I think that Christmas would have been cancelled lol. Imagine the poor kids Christmas morning rushing down and finding nothing under the tree.. Enjoy your weekend too, thankfully the snow has gone but plenty of rain in its place. Tom
Date: 11/23/2024 1:45:00 PM
- Tom, this is a wonderful story ... everything went perfectly for Christmas ... it is truly a busy time ... for both big and small Santas, elves and presidents in our modern world :) - Have a lovely weekend :) - hugs
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/23/2024 1:57:00 PM
Thank you very much Anne Lise, Once I start writing I can't stop lol. I'm happy that you enjoyed the story. Hope you too have a lovely weekend. Our snow has gone now, plenty of rain though.. Tom
Date: 11/23/2024 12:33:00 PM
Loved this! Glad Christmas was saved. It made me feel festive! Well done, another fave for me :-)
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/23/2024 1:16:00 PM
Thank you very much Lisa, Christmas is nearly on us, I'm tempted to put my tree up lol Thank you for faving it, I hope you are having a lovely weekend. Tom
Date: 11/23/2024 12:31:00 PM
Dear Tom, I believe you captured the magic and urgency of Christmas Eve with such wonderfulimagery! I love how you blend traditional elements with a modern twist, showcasing teamwork and resilience. It’s heartwarming filled artistically with the holiday spirit—a delightful story! - Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/23/2024 1:15:00 PM
Thank you very much Daniel, I'm happy you enjoyed it, Joseph has held this particular contest for four years now and I always try and write an epic, I sent one to a national newspaper a couple of years ago and they published it, my claim to fame lol. Hope you're enjoying the thanksgiving weekend. Tom
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