Twas the Eve Before Christmas!

Twas the eve before Christmas and all through the woods

the deer were all hiding the best that they could.

All dressed in our camo, my husband and me

in hopes that today a big buck we would see.

With our guns on our shoulders and a big kiss for luck

away to our stands through the mud and the muck.

I climbed up the ladder without making a sound

hoping I didn't fall or drop my gun to the ground.

Too comfortable in my chair trying not to fall asleep

as quiet as a mouse, not making a peep.

But despite my efforts I started to dream

such a waste of the day it was starting to seem.

"Stay awake now Jean", I remember he'd said,

as visions of whitetails pranced through my head.

Then on top of my deer stand I heard such a clatter

my eyes popped open to see what was the matter.

I rubbed my eyes 'cause it just couldn't be

are those whitetail bucks falling all around me?

How could it be that they fell from the sky?

That is what I see, for eyes do not lie!

Where did they come from I wanted to know

then down from the tree came a dusting of snow.

A loud whip I heard as his sleigh pulled away

Oh Santa, how long I have dreamed of this day.

10 points and 12 points, they continued to fall

as I heard Santa say, "Now blast away, blast away, blast away y'all!"

I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,

it's open season for you two but just til tonight!

By:  Jean S. Strickland