The Night Before Christmas, Atlanta Edition

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house,
Not a child was sleeping; I began to grouse.
The stockings were hung on the wall, out of reach,
And I as St. Nick would put treats in each.
I wanted to nestle all snug in my bed
Instead, toddler squeals pounded my head.

With Jain and Libby in nighttime attire,
John finally convinced them it was time to retire...
When out on the porch there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.
Away to the door I ran like a deer,
Undid the deadbolt and stepped out in fear.

The moon, on the breast of the fountain below,
Made me wish we lived in a state that saw snow.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a parade of dogs dressed as tiny reindeer,
With a little old owner, so lively and quick,
He put me in mind of an urban St. Nick.
More rapid that chipmunks his pooches they came,
And he whistled and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now Scruffy! now Rebel! now Pudge and now Willy!
On Meo, on Mezzo, on Max and on Homie!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane spun,
When they meet with an obstacle, turn tail and run,
Across the courtyard the pooches, they ran,
With a sack dragged behind them, and that little old man.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard in the hall
The scritching and scratching of each little paw.

As I ran back inside, and turned towards the door,
In burst the old man, who fell to the floor.
He was dressed all in red, from his hat to his shoes
And I noticed something that smelled a little like poo.
A burdensome bag he had on his back
And he looked to be smothered by that humongous sack.

His eyes - so bright! His dimples, not old.
His cheeks and his nose so pink from the cold.
His tired mouth still able to grin,
And he had a white soul patch gracing his chin.
He had a sweet face but not much of a belly,
He laughed and asked for a peanut butter and jelly.
He was skinny and small, like a cute little elf,
And I welcomed him in, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And calling his pooches, asleep on the floor,
He hefted his sack and backed out the door.

He turned down the hall, to his dogs gave a whistle,
And away they all ran, their fur all abristle.
I heard him exclaim, from the elevator on the right,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"