'Twas the Month Before Christmas...

'Twas the month before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung on the quilt rail with care,

In hope that St Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were out, and not in their beds,

No visions of Christmas yet danced in their heads;

With Hubby at work, and cats who weren't bothered,

I got out the Christmas things stashed in the cupboard.

When from the next room there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter;

I got to the lounge and my camera did flash,

As the Tail Cat was giving my pine tree the bash!

On his haunches he perched, ready to pounce,

"Tail Cat," I said, I won't give you an ounce,

Of licence to beat up my beautiful tree,

So please go outside and finish your tea!

My heart skipped a beat as he jumped and took fright,

I thought he might exit attached to a light,

Still blinking and twinkling and sparkling with glitter,

The whole tree would topple, attached to his flipper,

But lucky for him, he escaped with good grace,

And the Magpie Cat sat with a smile on his face.

For the rest of the day I took lots of cool piccies,

And moved things and changed things and found all the stickies,

For wrapping the presents and writing on labels,

I laid them all out on my old kitchen table.

I hung all the reindeer and dangled the tinsel,

From pine branch to pine branch with glitter a twinkle,

While all the while thinking of things I could make;

Like truffles and crackers and gingerbread cake,

To myself I did think all was Merry and Bright,

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night.