Foxx's First Christmas
 
         Twas the night before Christmas as I sat in my house,
              I was up to no good, being quiet as a mouse.
                Mom and Dad were snuggled up cozy in bed
          While visions of their wedding day danced in their head
                   Jesse and Nicki slept soundly above
              having been tucked in by those who they love.
             The door to my cage was closed snuggly in place,
               So why is there such a big smile on my face?
            Because I know something that Mom and Dad do not,
            I can sneak out of my cage, without getting caught!
           What is this "Christmas" thing? I have to know more!
               I have to find out! I must seek and explore!
                   Ever so sly, I pawed open the door,
             tripped over the cage rim, and fell on the floor.
              I dashed 'cross the carpet, and under the bed,
                   and hid in a shoe belonging to my Dad Ed.
                 I heard not a peep, so out I did rove,
              My very first stop was to check out the stove.
               A heavenly smell came from somewhere aloft,
             Mom has baked cinnamon rolls, all warm and soft!
                  Oh, how I wish I could have just one!
         Hmmm, I could jump to the step-stool if I start at a run.
               Cautiously, I climbed upon the counter's top,
               and crossed to the stove with one tiny hop.
               My prize awaited me on a large white platter,
            so I nosed one off, hitting the floor with a splatter!
               I ran down the stool to claim what was mine,
                and I made it, just by a whisker, in time!
              My buddy Jake had come to see what was new,
          so up the counter I scurried again, and got him one too.
          We nibbled and nibbled until we thought we would burst,
            Then we raced to the water dish; I got there first!
               As we were lapping our water from the bowl,
          Cuddles and Ace came to join us, from their hidey-hole.
           We all drank together, and then turned with a start,
          from the livingroom a sound came that made us all dart.
         We peeked 'round the corner to see what made the racket,
               and there stood a man in a fuzzy red jacket!
                  Chubby and kindly, his face all aglow
            on his boots were traces of the Christmas Eve snow.
            He reached up the chimney and gave something a tug
                and down with a whoosh it fell on the rug!
                 A sack, all filled with boxes with bows,
            and sweet candy treats I could smell with my nose!
            We watched as he filled our stockings with treats,
          and then turned to window and looked out in the street.
          He watched the snow falling through moonbeams up high
             then turned and sat down with a faint little sigh.
               What could be wrong? We wondered in awe,
             He rubbed at his tummy, and that's when I saw,
               The girls had fogotten to leave him a treat,
                so off I did scurry on my four little feet.
                   Up to the counter I ran in a haste,
                Nosed down a roll with no time to waste.
                 I picked it up carefully using my teeth,
         scampered back to the doorway and stood under the wreath
               When what to his wondering eyes did appear
                but little ol' me with a mouthful of cheer!
            He bent down to hold me as his eyes filled with glee
            then placed me very gently on his round little knee.
               I gave him his roll, and he nuzzled my nose
             His white beard tickled me right down to my toes!
                I sat on his lap with my chin on his belly,
            and it shook as he laughed like a bowl full of jelly!
               When he was all finished he patted my head
           and sat me carefully next to the Christmas tree spread
             He went to his bag, and began pulling out things,
            brightly colored boxes with bowes and shiny strings!
               He stuffed it all under our pretty little tree
             and when he was finished he turned back to me.
                 "Foxx", he said in a voice full of cheer,
               "you've been a very good little girl this year.
            Now run off to bed, because you know you can't see
         what Santa leaves for you underneath the Christmas tree!"
            One last quick glimpse and back to my cage I sped,
               pawed open the door and dove into my bed.
              My eyes grew heavy, and the light crept away,
                   and visions filled my head as it lay
                 I had found what Christmas was indeed
                   and in my mind it planted its seed.
                Christmas is magic, and giving and sharing
             and family and friends and dreaming and caring.
          I had learned a great lesson on that Christmas Eve night
       Because I chanced upon the man with the beard of snow white.
            And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
            "Happy Christmas to All, and to All a Good-Night!"
 
Merry Christmas Everyone!
 
Author:  Suzanne Martin
[Posted in FML issue 1775]