Dear Santa: I Can Explain!
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE SCHOOL
By: Debra Sue Higginbotham
December 4, 2014
Twas the night before School, and all thru the house,
the children were stirring – and wrestling the spouse.
No homework was done, yet no one did care …
In hopes that this mama … had a free pass to spare.
No children were nestled, in a messy little bed,
No teeth were brushed – just mouthwash instead.
I own not a ‘kerchief, but oh I long for a nap …
Maybe someday I’ll be settled, like an old sappy sap.
When out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the laundry – to see what was the matter.
And what to my exhausted eyes – should appear …
A door-to-door salesman – the billionth one this year.
With a big tall vacuum, so lively and so quick …
I knew in an instant … his old salesman trick …
Faster than an Eagle, my door slam, it came,
then I scurried and shouted, calling the kids by name:
Now William, Now Thomas, in bed you must be …
Now James I can see you – no, you can’t have some tea.
Now Victoria – where are you? On the phone, I’ll bet.
Now let’s find those backpacks, before I forget.
To the top of the stairs!
And to the bunk bed wall!
Now sleep away! sleep away!
Oh sleep away all!
And if I step on a lego, or if I should slip on a sock,
I’ll find your tablets and change the passcode lock.
And then in a twinkling, I heard in the kitchen,
Banging and clashing and words I won’t mention.
He was dressed in his boxers, standing on one foot,
Shuffling dishes, wondering where they should be put.
A bundle of pans, he had flung on the drain,
and he looked like my husband; but I must be insane.
His eyes, they wondered, how kids make such a mess.
His cheeks were like fire, his nose wrinkled at a guess.
His sexy little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and the dimple on his chin – was inviting, don’t ya know.
The look on his face; gave me butterflies in my belly,
As we ditched the dirty dishes ~and counter full of jelly.
We sprang up the stairs, as he gave me a whistle,
And away the night flew; like the down of a thistle.
But I heard a child exclaim, ‘ere we dashed out of sight,
“Be Quiet Mom & Dad ~ You Know It’s a School Night!”
The Healthy Habit Lady 