‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the coop,
The rooster and hens formed a Christmas troupe.
Some hung twinkle lights from the roost with care,
While others cooed carols, loud ‘nough for Santa to hear.
After the celebration, the birds settled snug in their beds,
While visions of biscuits and cracked corn danced in their heads.
Suddenly Henny Penny had a startling thought
“We have no stockings!” She clucked with distraught.
“You’re right!” said the rooster, “But what can we do?
Chickens don’t wear any stockings or shoes!”
A wave of anxiety roared through the coop,
No stockings would surely throw Ol’ St. Nick for a loop.
“He might pass right by the barn without stopping!”
“Maybe he already left us out of his shopping … “
Then out in the pasture they heard a loud clatter,
And stopped all their fussing to see what was the matter?
Up to the barn windows they flew in a flash,
And struggled to see through the dark and the snow,
A team of reindeer led by a bright red glow …
“It’s Santa! He found us!” they cooed and they clucked,
And watched as he unloaded a feed-bag full of stuff:
Biscuits and barley, cracked corn and seed,
Juicy worms, bugs, and high protein chicken feed.
“Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet! On Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!
They heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”
Ivory Harlow
Chillicothe, Ohio
It’s the night before Chanukah, eight days of fun.
Preparing the latkes, noodle kugel is done
Menorah is ready, wish lists granted
Another holiday with memories planted.
Nancy Goldstein
Chesterland, Ohio
‘Twas the night before Christmas
he looked through the stable;
he had no hay in the manger, no food on the table.
This poor farmer struggled to pay all his bills,
with hopes that better milk prices would cure all his ills.
Bill Beck
West Middlesex, Pa.
‘Twas the night before Christmas when we went to the barn
We opened the door to see if the cows were talking.
What we saw were the cows gawking at two fools.
Cows talking on Christmas Eve will remain the secret of the barn.
Rebecca Bliley
Waterford, Pa.
It was the night before Christmas, and Santa was busy.
Traveling the world would make anyone dizzy.
But come Christmas morn, he will put away his sleigh
And give his reindeers some hay.
Then he remembers baby Jesus, who was born on this day,
Because the real reason for Christmas is it’s Jesus’ birthday.
Catherine Marcy
Pierpont, Ohio
