𝑀𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑒𝑙 𝐽𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 • 𝐕𝐨𝐥.𝟐 (Completed)

'𝐓𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬

An: Poem originally by Clement Clarke Moore.

~ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas ~
~*~*~

~*~*~

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' 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 children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads.
And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap-

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But 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 call'd them by name:

"Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen! On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of Toys - and St. Nicholas too.

And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with abound.

He was dress'd all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnish'd with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys was flung on his back, and he look'd like a peddler just opening his pack:

His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples how merry, his cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face, and a little round belly, That shook when he laugh'd, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laugh'd when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And fill'd all the stockings; then turn'd with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.