Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house,
All the dogs were awake, running about.
The stockings barely hung by the chimney once a-flare,
But now smoke only filled the old house air.

And I was all nestled, snug in my bed,
Sleeping till noon, not a care in my head.
And mom in her robe, her coffee in cup,
Had settled down after dealing with the pups.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed, upset how it mattered.
I saw out the window, and looked with a glare,
Dad was back early from work, a real stare.

Apparently roads were closed because of the new-fallen snow;
He struggled to get back home, almost towed.
My tired eyes looked at what would appear,
The truth of snow, it was everywhere!

Like a young kid so lively and quick,
I got up from my bed; dogs greeted me with a lick.
I looked at the snow, and down it came.
They looked like stars, glittering fame.

“Now, Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!”
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

I heard a kid say the words on the fly,
Playing in the snow, head in the sky.
I imagined his words he recited come true
And saw the tiny reindeer, and Santa too.

I only sort-of wanted to go out and play,
But it was much too cold, and much too cray.
So I left the falling snow and playing around
To the frost-bitten kids that ran with a bound.

Feeling frozen from my head to my feet,
I sought to get dressed and find an afternoon treat.
A bundle of gifts still sat under the tree
Some for my mom, my dad, and for me.

In the kitchen, I felt suddenly merry:
The idea of some hot chocolate and fresh strawberries.
Left over from some Christmas treat making,
I felt like some more holiday baking!

After my small meal, I started the oven
And quickly prepared cookies, sheets by the dozen!
In a few hours, the treats were done.
I heard my mom and dad say, “Mm,” and “Yum Yum!”

Together we snacked, the dogs begging,
Getting drool and slobber all over my leggings.
With a glass of milk and the still falling snow,
We all felt like Santa; I almost said “ho ho!”

Then we spoke not a word, watching the snow at work,
Wondering how long the whiteness would lurk.
Then a sneeze came from me, typical of my nose,
Despite the cookies, it was cold and red as a nose.

Then we turned on the TV, scrolling the channels with ease
And found a movie we all liked; we were all pleased.
Liam Neeson and “Taken” was a familiar sight.
“I will find you, and I will kill you,” so ends our after Christmas night!