Twas the day after Christmas and all through the land
Not a creature was stirring, except the Mall Band
The shoppers were out, by two and three,
Snatching up deals, hoping for free.
The children were strung out, from sugar galore
While the wrappings and boxes still littered the floor
And Mamma had flown with her “crew” to the mall
While I raked the last leaves, from chill winter’s fall
When out of the house came a shattering noise
Of shrieking girls, and stumblefoot boys
Away to the front door I ran to see
The source of the clatter, shouting and glee
There by the light of the new Hi-def TV
Danced the boys and girls, playing their Wii
With a swing and a miss, and a swing and a hit
I wondered how long before they tired of it
Last year the gifts that just had to be had
Were “Jingo the Dog” and “Eeyore” so sad
And next year I wonder what will I buy
That will be long forgotten, long before July
I returned to my lawn and pile of leaves
Glanced up at the roof and noticed that the eaves
Held clusters of color just caught in the gutter
“Oh, what the Hell, why do I bother”, I mutter.
Across the street sits that old codger Bob
Billowing forth blue smoke from his trusty corn cob
He glances at me with his eyes all alight
As he clasps in his teeth that smelly old pipe
“Ain’t ya glad that you work, from sun up to sun down
To provide for those kids and wife whose in town
So that they can suck up the sweat from your brow
While you labor away, even now”
“I know that you love ‘em, but would it be so hard
If they came to help you out in the yard
And instead of running the electric bill higher
They came out and trimmed down that snagglewood briar”
His brow how it wrinkled, his smile was so merry
I knew that I needed to be very wary
His mean little mouth set in a sneer
As he reached in the cooler for yet another beer
The bowl of his pipe glowed bright in his lips
As from his mouth his sarcasm drips
“There they play and here you work
My but you are really a jerk”
“To let them run over you, feet and head
My boy, you certainly must be seeing red.
Your wife off spending, your kids at play
And you already working away the day”
I spoke not a word, but went straight back to work
For I was not one to ever shirk
My duties and tasks, so willingly bound
To my promise and commitment made and sound
On bended knee some years ago
One Christmas eve, out in the snow
In front of my darling’s father’s house
Old Bob’s, that mean spirited louse.
Copyright © 2011 - Marty Vandermolen
- All Rights Reserved
