‘Twas the Night Before….
(A Ball Family Christmas)
‘Twas the night before Christmas on this lone, dusty Road
The winds were howling between drip-drops of snow
The sounds of Christmas hung thick in the air
Though kitty lay sleeping…the mice should beware
The stockings were hung along the mantle with care
All filled with good cheer for families…everywhere
With a “ho ho ho,” the entire house shook
While high beams illuminated the path Dad took
No Santa and his reindeer. No package-filled sleigh
Just Pops and his hoopdy…hard at work, everyday
The kiddies were bustling way past midnight
Giggling and playing while waiting for daylight
They were gathered up…all in the same room
Hoping that morning would get here real soon
~ Christmas Morning…
The scene was all quiet…house toasty and cheery
The fire place crackled while outside was dreary
The parents were cuddled in bed…sleeping sound
‘Til atop the covers, the kiddies did bound
“Awake! Awake!” They bounced and they screamed
Father shouted, “Stop!” … All grumpy and mean
They hopped off the bed and ran for cover
Giggling…while hiding from father and mother
A few minutes later, they heard a big, stumping sound
Two steps at a time, their father came down
At the bottom of the stairs he bellowed his glee
“Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! You can’t catch me”
They sneaked and peeked ‘round each corner they came to
“What happened to Father,” one asked, as they crept through
Father had hidden before they entered the den
They tried to assess the mood he’d be in
When a
“Ho ho ho,”
Did fill the air
Poppa & Nana and the whole clan were there
~ Christmas Day…
There were relatives and loved ones all through the house
Where pets and little ones couldn’t wait to get out
To play in the snow with their friends…and toys
Little girls hopping ‘round, trying to act like the boys
Machorne and Diavion were playing, as well
Kimyra was running when she stumbled and fell
When the rest of the family came outside the door
They were greeted by yellings, and screamings, and more
Suddenly, a snow ball whizzed through the air
All eyes then turned to that sneaky little pair
They scooped up some snow…and joined in the fray
Snow balls a flying. The whole family at play
The grownups enjoyed it. The young ones did too
The Christmas Spirit draped all over you
There stood Moms and Pops looking out over their crew
Mark Anthony and Rosetta had the lake as their view
Syvone and Debra just beamed with much pride
Ivory and Valerie went along for the ride
L’il Marcus and LeAndre just, casually, looked on
All nonchalant…pretending they’re grown
RaShada and Kenyatta sat back and just chilled
A passerby rolled up…”Yo, man! What’s the deal?”
There were D’Jamien, D’Jarrien, and Anais, too
Uncle Sandy and Auntee Ruby all dressed up in blue
~ Christmas Night…
Since early in the morning, and throughout the day
The children huffed and puffed. They ran and they played
When nightfall came, they bathed…and lay down
All that could be heard were soft, sleeping sounds
And, thus, came to end, that one Christmas day
Until next year, you know what the Ball clan says
Let us end this season with “good will” and “great cheer”
Merry Christmas to all. Have a wonderful New Year