Gary Brown: 'Twas the night before Christmas, and the house was all cluttered
'Twas the night before Christmas, and the house was all cluttered.
Not a present was wrapped; to myself I just muttered,
"Why won't ever I learn not to wait until late?
"Now I tie in a hurry, this ribbon I hate."
The children were playing upstairs in their beds.
Little Billy, our bad boy, had mischief in head.
And mamma in her flannels and I in my robe.
Had just knelt on the carpet, to assemble a globe.
When from the hot air duct, there arose such a clatter;
What's one part, I asked, "How much can it matter?"
Still, I crawled to the vent, to hunt out "Part 8."
"With only a flashlight, this will take me all night."
The window above me let cold air through its pane.
The part was still missing, and I'd get the blame.
My patience was tried, my eyes they were tired,
I yearned for a gift with "no assembly required."
Suddenly, outside the window were voices,
Shouting and scrambling -- a crowd that was boisterous.
When I looked through the glass, my gosh, what a stopper!
There was a miniature discount store and thousands of shoppers!
With a little old shopkeep, his face flushed and pink,
I'd bet dollar to credit card, it must be Nick Inc.
More vicious than animals, his mob made me tingle.
Nick Inc., in the middle, he urged them to mingle.
"Now, marked down! Discounted! Prices slashed and cut!"
"On sale! On time! Buy now and buy much!
"To the top of your limit! Shop around -- have a ball!
"Now, charge away! Charge away! Charge away, all!"
As cattle will herd to the edge of a trough,
When met with an obstacle, just push, never pause.
So, up to the checkout, his customers piled.
At their baskets of toys, Nick Inc., he just smiled.
I blinked, looked away, but the store was still there.
Its customers fidgeting, pawing their hair.
As I drew back my head and was turning around,
In the front door walked Nick Inc., with hardly a sound.
He was dressed in a vest, his name on a tag.
His right hand was gripping a double-strength bag.
That bundle of toys, he flung at my feet;
He resembled my old man, consumed in defeat.
His eyes, they were bloodshot; he sniffled his cold.
Then, he walked toward my Yule tree; boy was he bold!"
He glanced at my gifts, said, "Forget anybody Mack?"
"Ya know, tonight's the last night. I won't be back."
He reached to his bag and drew out a dress.
"Just the ticket!" he said, if I'd forgotten Aunt Bess.
There were footballs for nephews, candy for friends;
I was immediately attracted to gifts I could send.
But I spoke not a word and went back to my work,
Taping paper and gift tags, giving ribbon a jerk.
I glanced back quite often, to see him still there;
Then, once, in a second, where he'd stood was now bare.
I wondered a minute if it was a dream;
Took my flashlight to air duct, to search with a beam.
I couldn't resist; through the window I stared.
By gosh, they were leaving, but they all had been there!
Nick Inc., sprang to his countertop, to his crowd gave a holler.
And away they all shopped, like there was no tomorrow.
But, I heard him exclaim, over a box he protruded.
"Video games here! No batteries included!"
Reach Canton Repository Living Section Editor Gary Brown at (330) 580-8303 or gary.brown@cantonrep.com.