Twas the Night Before Christmas -Slightly Revised

‘Twas the night before Christmas,
and once in my bed,
no visions of anything 
danced in my head.
The night – uneventful -
no kids bothered me.
No sound of small feet
rushing out to the tree!

My husband lay snoring
at least until ten.
I put on some TV
just waiting for when
my daughter, her spouse,
and their kids (older now)
would show up for dinner -
the meat from a cow!

No turkey, no ham.
I much prefer beef.
My son-in-law’s vegan.
I’d feed him a leaf.
There’s not much unwrapping
of gifts any more.
It’s more likely gift cards
that teens all adore.

Gift cards for movies
or things at some store
and inside of envelops,
money galore.
Gone are the days
of wrapping all night
toys for the kiddies,
and I guess that’s all right.

It sure took forever
to have to exert
energy wrapping. . .
it made my back hurt!
But in a few years,
wee girls and wee boys
(great-grand-kids) I’ll see
ripping wrapping off toys!

Dec. 2, 2019 for Joseph May's the 'The Night Before 2' Poetry Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Hinshaw Avatar
December 15, 2019 at 3:41 PM
A wonderful twist on the original, Andrea, and a well-deserved win. Kept me rapt to the end! Many thanks for your kind comments re my entry in the contest. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Looking mighty Christmassy in Col Springs today - just started snowing and more to come! Bob H
May Avatar
December 14, 2019 at 9:25 PM
Vegans get a leaf, I love that line, Congrats on your win Andrea..
Iversen  Avatar
December 14, 2019 at 2:32 PM
Great. That just about described our gifting experience etc. Congrats
Marcum Wong Avatar
December 14, 2019 at 1:25 PM
I loved this Andrea. "My son-in-law’s vegan. I’d feed him a leaf." This is so funny. Congratulations on your deserving second place win! Mele Kalikimaka! xxoo
Gauthier Avatar
December 14, 2019 at 1:04 PM
Congrats on your win, Andrea. Well spun.
Na Avatar
December 14, 2019 at 12:53 PM
Congrats on your winning poem Andrea
Hawley Avatar
December 14, 2019 at 8:59 AM
So nice to have a personal connection to such a classic.
Canerdy Avatar
December 14, 2019 at 7:56 AM
This is SO GOOD--especially the part about feeding him a leaf! LOL! Congrats on your win Andrea! Janice
Wolves Avatar
December 4, 2019 at 8:42 PM
This is truly incredible. You did an awesome job on this.
Walker Avatar
December 4, 2019 at 1:51 PM
Made me smile, laugh and miss those days with children around.
Leffanta Avatar
December 2, 2019 at 4:50 PM
You should win just for, "My son-in-law's vegan. I'd feed him a leaf!" Thanks for the laugh! Aloha! Rico
Dietrich Avatar
December 2, 2019 at 6:01 PM
thank you very much. I do believe that is the first time you paid one of my lines a compliment. It was my favorite line in the poem as well.
Godwin Avatar
December 2, 2019 at 2:40 PM
Very well done! Ideas for this one have seeded in my brain but not yet bloomed. You did a great job delivering smiles with factual information. I have to rush - Tim and I have places to go and people to annoy but I want to read at least one more. I truly enjoyed this. Love, CayCay
Na Avatar
December 2, 2019 at 1:59 PM
Hi Andrea very festive and warm hearted. Yes times have changed. We no longer gather with a large part of the family. Just my wife, daughter and I and we are happy with that. Miss the old Christmas`s though. Best of luck in the contest
Cunningham Avatar
December 2, 2019 at 11:24 AM
Brilliant Andrea, you're right it's all gift cards for the Apple store now, expensive time now. Good luck. Tom
Theraven Avatar
December 2, 2019 at 11:00 AM
Andrea, I love this poem, though miss the days of wrapped presents piled around the Christmas tree. Memories of a rotating color filled light shining on tinsel bright. My how things have changed. But family is still the most important part of your marvelous poem. And all that matters in the end. -Richard
Pandit Avatar
December 2, 2019 at 9:42 AM
Enjoyed the glimpse of night before, Andrea--true to life.
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