Modern-Day Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before X-Mas and all through our home
The radio was blaring; the teenager’s ear was glued to the phone
Football was loud on the den TV
Cartoons in the back for a little girl named Bree

All the pet birds were asleep in their cages
The house was clean due to one of Mom’s Rages.
The dishes were washed and the laundry was folded.
And all because the Mother had scolded.

But now Mom was happy and holding a beer.
She began singing that song about the red-nosed reindeer.
The teenager’s face pulled away from the receiver.
She stared at her mother as though she couldn’t believe her.

In the kitchen the mother was singing and dancing.
About the reindeer who were flying and prancing.
The one called Bree came skipping down the hall with loud feet
In order to grab herself a sweet Christmas treat.

The sight before Bree’s eyes stopped her dead in her tracks
And she forgot all about the Christmas cookie snacks
Instead she joined in with the dancing and singing
But the teenager’s fingers were on the phone still clinging.

The voices of Mom and Bree grew even stronger
The teenager just swore she’d be on the phone ‘even longer’
When half-time arrived Dad decided to join in
They surrounded the teenager until she gave in.

The house began rumbling with voices in song
With off-key singers and words that were wrong.
But nobody cared because Santa would soon be here
And for a brief moment there was Christmas Cheer.