A Condo Carol

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through my condo-house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a computer mouse
The Christmas cards were hung by the chalk-chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

 

The throw pillows were nestled all snug on my bed,
While visions of new decor danced in my head.

With the TV turned off and the presents all wrapped

I had just settled in for a long winter's nap

When out on the balcony there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Rolled up the Ikea blinds, let out a gasp!

The moon on the top of the gas station below,
Gave the lustre of mid-October because there is still no snow.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the streetcar stop! to the top of the rooftop patio wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the balcony the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the balcony
The prancing and pawing of each cramped-in pony.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Through the AC vent came St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with Billy Bishop Airport soot
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And despite my no-smoking rule, the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Handed me a pile of design mags, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, out the window he goes!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Whether you live in a condo, apartment, house, castle, or even a hotel tonight, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas tomorrow! 

PS- I hope you enjoyed this viewing of the 6 trees (ok, 5.5, since one is tiny) that I decorated this year!