THE DAY AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

‘Twas the day after Christmas when all through the house,

the baby asleep in bed with my spouse.

The living room strewn with leftover wrap,

the cat under the tree taking a pine-needle filled nap.

The toys were all tottered exhausted from play.

The food was leftover, the utensils astray.

It all had passed by in yuletide filled streak.

The season, the reason, gone in my sleep.

It lasted much longer when I was young,

that feeling of cheer through holiday songs I had sung.

But as I grew older I learned that it fades,

the season, the reason, the peace that it’s made.

The spirit in our hearts grew heavier each year.

More responsibilities, more worries, a sack full of fear.

Holidays did not last when there was more to be done.

The bills, the work. Not much time left for fun.

My only hope now, year after year,

is that my child feels some of that Christmas cheer.

To pass down some of that peace and warm feel.

That magic I felt when I believed Santa was real.

The hope that I had in my own days of youth.

The belief in a spirit; magic as truth.

But what becomes of Santa when we grow older?

Does he fly from our hearts and leave the world colder?

Will my child feel it less as the years trickle by.

For my child, I swear I can’t let it die!

Declaring my mission, I feel a bit lighter!

The lights haven’t dimmed, they’ve gotten much brighter!

The wonder hasn’t left me now that I’ve grown,

because it's MY mission to bring Christmas home!

I can give my child the holiday I love,

from the snow on the ground to the reindeer above!

Now I realize, with miraculous glee,

I AM the one who puts the presents under the tree!

I play the songs! I wring up the lights!

I’m the one who starts the fire on cold winter nights!

The stockings are hung on by the chimney with care,

only ‘cause I'M the one who strung them up there!

Santa’s not a dream we believe till we’re old.

He is real, he is here, his truth can be told!

The jolly old man has not gone away,

he's left me in charge to uphold his day.

Christmas is here, and I am the cause!

I have grown up to be Santa Claus!

Merry Christmas Everyone!