The Journey Inward

'Twas a day past Thanksgiving, when all through the house,
Christmas decorations were distributed, even my walnut mouse;
The stockings were hung by the front door with care,
They were made by my mom, and they honor her there;

The children were nestled all snug on the couch,
While I worked around them, and dropped a sled-ouch!
Gab wore the headband, and I the Santa cap,
And Gillian settled in for an afternoon nap,

When out on the porch there arose such a clatter,
I ran outside quick to see what was the matter.
My trees had blown over in a terrible flash,
The wind had stripped them of their ornaments and sash.

I unwrapped the icicles that look like the snow,
And give lustre to the festive objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a tall son-in-law to help me this year!

Then this little old driver, so lively and quick,
Had to dash to the airport, with my hobbling sidekick.
To grab more family and have them join in with us now,
And to help us eat leftovers, I hope they're ready to chow!

Now, candles! Now, snowmen! Now, Santa and reindeer!
Here's snowflakes and greenery and sweet lights and cashmere!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now decorate, decorate, decorate all!

While outside my silver bells were tempted to fly,
When big gusts of wind tossed them up in the sky,
I spruced up the bird feeders and my feathered friends flew,
I cleaned off the banisters til they looked brand-y new.

And then I heard twinkling, out on the roof,
Was it the prancing and pawing of a reindeer's hoof?
No, a wreath from above went slipping down to the ground,
Henry charged after it with a leap and a bound!

Time for a break, let's bundle from our head to our feet,
And admire neighbors' festiveness as we walk on the street.
Taylor carried Gillian up on his back,
And she settled in there like his military rucksack!

This time of year is such fun and so merry!
Like a bowl full of ice cream topped off with a cherry!
I'll need to get wrapping paper and maybe a bow,
And if we are lucky, we might see some snow!

Back home we found something in Henry's teeth,
It was a throw pillow featuring a truck and a wreath!
Thank goodness he hadn't swallowed it down into his belly,
Another veterinary bill would have turned my legs into jelly!

Some finishing touches now, three gnomes and an elf,
I smiled when I saw them, in spite of myself;
I clapped my hands and nodded my head,
We're almost done now...see? This was nothing to dread!

I'd set a goal for this day and gotten straight down to work,
It was disjointed and crazy, not exactly like clockwork,
But despite a bad leg and a bloody gushing nose,
In this sweet, little house, our spirits all rose!

I turned to my "team" and gave them a whistle,
That was the sign they'd been waiting for...their dismissal.
And I belted this exclamation as they disappeared out of sight,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

Photo:  Christmas Beauty, 11.29.24 by LA