Preface
When I was in fifth grade, the music teacher, old Mr. Warnick, short, rotund, motivating and very smart, came into class and chose me and Bruce Whistler to read The Night Before Christmas.
At first I didn't realize what was going on, but we took turns reading segments of this poem between choir classes that were singing specific songs for specific passages.
There we were standing in the auditorium, before 2,000 people!!!
Mr. Warnick had one of those microphones on a poplar cabinet with wheels set up that would once in awhile give out a high-pitched squawk!
To this day, I can recite that whole poem.
I was just doing what adults asked me to do, so for years it didn't dawn on me that it was an honor.
Here's a couple of poems I wrote just for the fun of it.
HO, HO, HO, WHERE'S THE MISTLETOE?
Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't know
Ho, ho, ho, where's the mistletoe?
Up on your toes, get you a kiss
From your jolly own St. Nick!
Fill up the stockings, over the cuff
Little red boxes, full of hot stuff,
One that will open 'n' twinkle your eyes,
Sparkles n'glitter, what a surprise!
Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't know
Ho, ho, ho, where's the mistletoe?
Steal you a kiss, quick, quick, quick
From yours truly, good St. Nick!
Up on the housetop, watch the sunrise
Wish on a star, dreaming through the skies.
What comes next, a knock at the door,
Amazon's here, let's wrap some more!
Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't know
Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go?
Up on their toes for a quick kiss
From mom 'n' dad hug master & miss!
JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS
It was a few days before Christmas when all through the house
we watched the cat Piper chasing a mouse.
Our kids were not snuggled asleep in their beds.
They weren't jump-jumping and hitting their heads.
I had diced fruit, made drinks for a snack
Dad had just settled in for his digestion attack
When what to our surprised ears should we both hear
but a knock at the door "It's open. Come in, m'dear!"
Then in walks the sons, with little ragamuffins
Breathless from running just a'huffin' and puffin'.
They tore off their shoes, they gave them a fling.
They threw down their packs, those zippers went "zing".
They ran to the toys like elves on a mission
lined up the trucks in dumping position.
Some grabbed a doll stroller, not just one but two
"Zoom!" Sister said, "Come on! Race you!"
Green 'n' red orbs flew, the balls were all scattered,
The noise level rose and the sound barrier shattered.
Hours and time passed, adults chatting was done
The kids were pouting, "We're still having fun!"
When moms and dads called "To the table, let's eat."
One's put in a blue booster, to swing and dangle feet.
"Bring out the cooked goose and all the pumpkin pie."
"No toys at the table, get that spoon out of yer eye!"
Grandpa winked at grandma "You'll all wanna miss this,
Go ahead and say grace." And he snuck a mistletoe kiss.
