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'Twas the night before Christmas...a little homage

With humble apologies to Clement Clark Moore for fiddling with his lovely poem….

 

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

 

The Forkers were nestled all snug in their beds

while visions of fairy cakes danced in their heads.

The tree was all dressed and I sat on the top,

my wings all a-sparkle, newly bought from the shop.

 

Then out on the roof there arose such a clatter

I sprang from the tree to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

with Dove flying behind me, I threw up the sash.

 

The moon shone so clearly on new fallen snow

and glistened and gleamed on the scene down below.

Up above rooftops in a sky bright and clear

was a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

 

With a little old driver, so lively and quick

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,

and he whistled and shouted and called them by name :

“Now Womble! Now punkdoc!

Now Bushman and Lesley!

On, lily! On, fidget!

On, chicky and Tetley!”

He shouted to Dove “Make room for us all,

clear a space in the snow, in case we should fall”.

 

The Forkers all woke and came running to see,

they chattered and giggled and shouted with glee.

Excited and happy, they watched with delight

as St. Nick and the reindeer appeared through the night.

 

And then in a twinkling, high up on the roof,

the reindeer were pawing with each little hoof.

As I drew in my head and was turning around,

down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his toes

and his clothes were all blackened - soot covered his nose.

A bag full of gifts he had packed with great care,

a bundle of good things all gardeners could share.

 

 Compost and dibbers, and pots big and small,

secateurs, shears – he had plenty for all.

Tree ties and labels, and bulbs for the spring,

trowels and cloches, and big balls of string.

 

He waved to us all – far too many to mention -

not enough room here without an extension.

But we waved back together, all stood in a row,

Liriodendron, nutcutlet and jo.

 

The 'Steves', Bob the Gardener, and artjak and Lyn,

Runnybeak, Clari – they squeezed themselves in.

4the Panda snuck in, still chewing bamboo,

Wintersong arrived late – ( she'd been painting the loo)

 

Obelixx was visiting, she'd caught the last ferry,

to catch up with us here, and to laugh and make merry.

DavidK caught the scene with a beautiful snap,

he dressed up for the task in an elf suit and hat.

 

Gardengirl's pallets had been put to good use,

as a table laid with a banquet, including roast goose.

And KEF wore her hotpants and handed out drinks,

to enormous applause and a few cheeky winks.

 

Pansyface, philippa, Pat , Edd and me

Lily Pilly and Yvie handed out cups of tea.

Hosta stood by the fire – a great blazing affair,

he was roasting his chestnuts, he just had a pair.

 

Hollie hock, Marion and Topbird sat down,

hoping mince pies and chocolates would soon be passed round.

But we all turned our heads to the visitor there

who threw off his red hat to r

It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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Posts

  • That's absolutely fantastic ....... my children (yes those very grown up ones) still love that poem

    Wonky will be beside herself with joy to read this!!!

    Thank you Fairy image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LesleyKLesleyK Posts: 4,029

    Wow Fairy - what a fantastic Christmas present you've worked on for usimage.  Great start to the day - well doneimage.  Hosta and his chestnuts had me laughing so much I nearly woke the rest of the houseimage

  • Gosh, that's absolutely BRILLIANT!!!

    Loved reading that and am green with envy at your talents as a poet!

    Thanks for posting it, and Merry Christmas! image

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Not sure what happened - it was all there when I posted image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Hollie hock, Marion and Topbird sat down,

    hoping mince pies and chocolates would soon be passed round.

    But we all turned our heads to the visitor there

    who threw off his red hat to reveal his grey hair.

     

    He was chubby and plump, a bold Cornish elf

    and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of himself.

    It wasn't St. Nick but a cheeky young scamp

    from down the south west where it's warm and not damp.

     

    He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work

    and filled all the stockings with seeds and a fork.

    Then, giving a smile, he spun right around...

    and pinched all the doughnuts without making a sound.

     

     

     

    He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

    and away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

    He was heading for France to see Damsel and Lizzie

    with more goodies for them, to keep them both busy.

     

    But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,

    “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

     

     

    And there ends my tale of that fabulous night

    when St. Nick and his reindeer all flew into sight.

    To the Forkers I've missed, please forgive my old mind,

    it's just that I'm weary so try and be kind.

    The year's nearly over – how quickly it went,

    but we've had lots of fun in the times that we've spent….

    ...together on Forkers – a great bunch of folk,

    always ready with cake, and advice and a joke.

    So here's to our next year - may your dreams all come true,

    I hope that's the case for each one of you.

    I'm waving my wand over everyone here

    Merry Christmas to all, and a Happy New Year.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Sorry - spoilt the effect a bit  image

    I think I'm more Roger McGough than John Betjeman image

    or probably William McGonagall.....image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lupin 1Lupin 1 Posts: 8,916

    Brilliant Fairy, it has made my day 

    http://yoursmiles.org/tsmile/christmas/t07015.gif

  • image

     

    I've just read it out to OH - we agree, Fairy is the Forkers' Poet Laureate

     

     


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Lupin 1Lupin 1 Posts: 8,916

    http://yoursmiles.org/tsmile/christmas/t07157.gif

        image
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