The Longest Night

There's one night a year that's quite clearly the best,

Despite being mostly just like all the rest.

The sky's not more starry, the moon's not more blue,

The dreams aren't more dreamy or worries more few.

What makes it so rare, standing out in the heap,

Lies all in the promise it's destined to keep;

As soon as it ends and the day breaks again,

It's gonna be time for presents.

Just look at them there in their ribbons and bows,

In wrapping that's covered in all kinds of snows,

But not that long now or too far left to go,

Till it's gonna be time for presents.

The seasons have come and the seasons have gone,

The leaves have been green and then yellow and fawn.

The kites have been flown on the cool windy days,

And heat has been hot in the mid-summer haze.

The daisies have bloomed on the freshly mown lawns,

That see themselves frosted on cold winter dawns.

Yet through all this change there's one fact that remains,

It's soon to be time for presents.

With Christmas-y patterns like reindeer in rows,

Led through the night sky by one's glowing red nose.

But not that long now or too far left to go,

Till it's gonna be time for presents.

It's been quite a year what with school in your path,

And the hours of English and Science and Math.

The spelling and grammar and I's before E,

The space inside shapes and the square root of three.

But that was back then and school's long since been out,

Allowing young minds to roam freely about.

But now the main focus, sole musing and thought,

Is it's gonna time for presents.

And what's with the paper though? Why try to hide?

The boxfuls of joy wrapped so tightly inside?

But not that long now or too far left to go,

Till it's gonna be time for presents.

At least recent weeks have been full of nice sights,

Like houses and streets lined with glittering lights.

Inside colored stockings form quite the array,

And angel-shaped candles sit out on display.

A thousand round baubles adorn every tree,

With stars at the top drawing eyes in to see.

But just underneath lies the true centerpiece;

That wonderful pile of presents.

They're perfect to see though not perfectly stacked,

Piled under the tree so specifically packed.

But not that long now or too far left to go,

Till it's gonna be time for presents.

And with all the sights come the seasonal sounds,

As Santa sleighs in while he's making his rounds.

The silver bells ring and the jingle bell rocks,

As Carolers sing in their red and green frocks.

Their songs about snowmen with top hats and all,

And freshly picked holly to deck every hall.

With lights shining bright as they sing in the night,

It feels quite a lot like Christmas.

With sights you can see paired with sounds you can hear,

It's quite the reminder the time's drawing near.

It's not that long now or too far left to go,

Till it's gonna be time for Christmas.

And presents.

And though it's not nearly the quickest of waits,

It helps having other less regular dates.

Where thanks can be given and chocolate eggs had,

And cards can be crafted for both Mom and Dad.

And birthdays of course with the boxes they bring,

But even those fail to compare to this thing.

Just nothing comes near to the sheer atmosphere,

When it's gonna be time for Christmas.

No other time's like it. Not one can compare.

Not even the glam at the first of the year.

But not that long now or too far left to go,

Till it's gonna be time for Christmas.

And, of course, presents.

Then adding some more to the glorious mood,

Is all of the holiday's glorious food.

The turkey with stuffing and honey glazed ham,

And gingerbread homes with their walls filled with jam.

From yule logs all covered in chocolate and cream,

To puddings and pies that taste just like a dream.

An all you can eat of the tastiest treats,

When it's gonna be time for Christmas.

The thought by itself is enough to excite!

Of shortbread and fruitcake and joy with each bite!

It's not that long now or too far left to go,

Till it's gonna be time for dinner.

And Christmas.

And presents.

What really makes Christmas so special and rare,

Is feeling the closeness about in the air.

The quality time every family spends,

With all of their kin and their closest of friends.

With siblings and cousins and all of their folks,

With aunts and with uncles with uncle-y jokes.

The grandmas and grandpas all visiting too,

Enjoying their time at Christmas.

It's this with the sounds and the tastes and the sights,

That make this one longer than all other nights.

The presents are nice but they're only a part,

Of all that's in store and set shortly to start.

Although it seems longer it soon will give way,

To dawn and what's clearly the number one day.

It's not that long now or too far left to go,

Till it's gonna be time for Christmas.

                                     -End-