Book of poems and useless information

The Christmas Thief

The Christmas thief.

Me and my sisters Rita, Ann and May.

Leaping out of our beds on Christmas Day.

Our little Hearts bursting With anticipation.

For Santy's presents waiting in the kitchen.

A new leather school bag inside a chocolate mouse and a Toy dolly.

Mine. I named Molly.

Mammy busy not a moment to spare.

The smell of her cooking filling the air.

By our one true looking glass.

We put on our best for mass.

Nan tied up my hair with a red bow.

We spied out the window.

Daddy hitching the pony and trap in the snow.

When we had all gotten change.

Mammy removed our turkey from the range.

How lucky we are.

Plenty not so far.

Have nothing only coupons.

To purchase their Christmas Day rations.

Toby my dog began to drool.

As we left our turkey high to cool.

Passing Dublin street.

As we rode to mass.

Everyone we meet.

Greet with a smile and a merry Christmas.

After mass gathered all the girls and boys.

All chatter and laughter about our new toys.

Then back home the end of our journey.

I helped Daddy.

Unhitch Tommy our pony.

Jumping!

We heard mammy screaming from the kitchen.

We ran dropping everything.

Mammy was frantically screaming.

"Christmas is ruined your dog Toby has robbed our turkey."

"He snatch it and ran out the door. The Devil take him. This is the last straw. God forgive me I don't want that mongrel anymore!"

There was no calming her.

Her temper soaring.

As she continued ranting and roaring.

My dad had had enough and decided what needed to be done.

From under his bed he got Mr Diamonds shot gun.

His mind made up I could see.

Outside I ran pleading not to kill Toby.

"Go home. Biddy"

He coldly told me.

My tears falling on deaf ears.

I would not go.

First time to my father I said. "No."

"If you come. Keep behind me and the gun."

He said. I was taken aback.

I followed behind him up onto the railway track.

He followed Toby's trail as I followed his coat tail.

We walked down the track past white snow fields and frozen pond.

Upon that pond.

Came the sound.

Two Honking geese.

Disturbing the peace.

By railway gates. We spotted Toby with bird in mouth.

My father let out a shout.

"Toby stay!"

But Toby disobey and ran away.

Dad took aim.

Toby scrambled down onto borrow field lane.

"Thank god" I cried.

"That lane is a dead end." Dad replied.

"Nowhere to hide.."

Dad moved his country stride long.

The thief was trapped by the farmer, poacher, soldier, big one.

Ignoring our call.

The dog dropped his loot.

By a hole in a garden wall.

"Look!" I said.

Out of the hole popped a small head.

"Is it a puppy?" I wondered.

"No! It's a fox cub." Dad answered.

"Look there's three more."

They scampered over to our turkey.

Smelt sniffed and slowly bit.

Even dad laughed as the little cubs so hungry . Eagerly ate our turkey.

"What about Toby?"

I asked hopefully.

"Take him home. Pray your Mam's anger has died.'

My Dad replied.

"Mam 's upset no turkey for Christmas dinner.'

I said fearing mammies temper.

The farmer tipped his hat.

"Better go and fix that. "

Mammy stood by the door.

No longer angry anymore.

Feeling guilty and forgiving.

Hoping mutt is still living.

As we walked up to her she smiled.

Seeing the dog still alive.

She frowned.

"What about our Christmas dinner!"

"Never mind the dinner. Let's have a slap up supper."

Dad laughed as his smile increase.

He held up two freshly shot geese.