How About the Night After Christmas?

We all know about the night before Christmas, which is tonight.  But we don’t pay much attention to the following evening — The “Night After Christmas”?

Here is my contribution.

‘Twas the Night After Christmas by Alan C. Fox

‘Twas the night after Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse;
The stockings were carried outside to the trash,
In hopes that most gifts would soon turn to cash;

The children were quarreling about who got the best,
The teenagers sure that young siblings were blessed;
But mamma in her bathrobe, and I with my beard,
had made it through Christmas, in our bedroom we cheered,

When out in the kitchen there arose such a clatter,
I left my TV to see what was the matter.
Away to the freezer I flew like a flash,
Tore open the door – they had stolen my stash.

Oh, not what you’re thinking, (my stash was See’s candy;
At the top of the freezer, I’d hoped safe but handy),
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But my four-year-old grandson, his face just a smear,

Chocolate all over his fingers and nose,
His mom would be glad he was wearing old clothes.
The See’s box was empty, his smiling face rapt,
The young boy inside me suddenly snapped;

“No CHEWS! no DARK CHOCOLATE! no ALMONDS! no NUTS!
Ben had eaten them all, no IFS, ANDS, or BUTS!
But how could I help it, my face had a smile!
Delayed gratification was just not his style!

As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
When tossed by the wind they mount to the sky,
I lifted Ben up, chocolate stuck to my beard,
The day after Christmas, merry but weird.

And then, in a twinkling, I gave him a kiss
See’s candy important, but family, bliss.
I drew him up close, an affectionate hug,
When St. Nicholas knocked, a grandfatherly mug.

“Ho ho ho! I am weary, but thought you could use
A one-year subscription to Santa’s Good News;
I email it weekly, why wait for year’s end,
My Elves type it up, I just edit and ‘Send.’”

My grandson was laughing, feeling just great,
not only because of the candy he ate.
“Thanks very much, Santa,” I said with a grin,
“I’ll fill up on joy, and end next year thin;”

“You’re sure welcome Alan,” he said, launching a drone,
“I retired the reindeer, they’re resting at home;
That’s why I’m late, I was working alone,
With Mrs. Claus waiting, so I’ll say shalom.”

“I’m glad you’ve updated,“ I said, “see you next year,”
Ben cheerfully added, “Santa was here.”
Then St. Nick climbed up to his blimp with his gear,
“HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-YEAR!”

Alan

p.s. Feel free to share this blog or read it aloud as your gift to friends and family.  Everyone can easily sign up for my weekly blog at alancfox.com.