Friday 24 December 2010

Diane Chapman's 'Night Before Christmas'

Diane’s Final Festive Run… An Imagining!

Read Diane's blog of her challenge here


‘'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, when all through the house
Not creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
By Noah’s bed, the stocking was hung with care
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
And Noah was nestled all snug in his bed,
While visions of ‘Ben 10’ danced in his head.
Chris was watching some Christmas Eve’ crap
And Diane was striving to keep from a nap.

When the clock came to midnight, they both stopped their chatter,
Diane sprang from the couch to deal with the matter;
She tied up her laces as quick as a flash,
Thinking of all the sponsorship cash.

Out her front door, she stepped onto the snow,
Looking out at the lights of the houses below.
Clad in a red suit, with orange t-shirt beneath,
Her neighbours looked on in pure disbelief.

Bidding farewell to her husband and child
Diane was grateful the weather was mild;
Not nearly as frozen as the days gone before
As the thermometer read a warm minus four.

Starting her Nike+, so lively and quick,
She ran through the street dressed just like St Nick.
More rapid than Rudolf the reindeer was she,
As Diane set off for a final PB.

When at the end of the road, there did suddenly appear,
A miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
She knew in a moment that it was St Nic.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And Diane laughed when she saw him, in spite of herself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Let Diane know she had nothing to dred.

“Is that Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen?
Oh… and Comet, Cupid and Donner and Blitzen?”
The man dressed in rouge, stepped down from his sleigh;
He stood in front of Diane, laughing away
“Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho”, he chuckled with glee
“I see that you do recognise me.
Why Diane, I am the real Santa Claus
And I’m here to help you with your festive Cause.”

Winking at Di, his eyes gave a twinkle,
He smiled big and wide, showing his dimple.
Then, speaking not a word, he went straight to his work,
Pulling a laptop free from his sleigh with a jerk.

And he sponsored Diane as much as he had,
Now Santa’s work is voluntary as we know,
But even the smallest amount has far to go.

Diane thanked him so much and wished him the best
As he sprang back on his sleigh and set off to the west.
Di finished her 24th run for the children in need
At Martin House Hospice on that cold Christmas Eve.

Meanwhile, Santa continued the rest of his rounds
Feeling glad he could help with just a few pounds;
And he bellowed from his sleigh as he flew out of sight:
 “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!”

4 comments:

  1. Brilliant Maggie and well done Diane a great achievement! Happy Christmas x

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  2. Wow, I am speechless Maggie, I was reading it out to Chris and could hardly read the end for crying!!! It's amazing and I am so touched and so lucky to have such a great friend (and poet) like you, thank you. And I have just worked out who was my last sponsor was, your the best Santa Claus!!! I have reached £2000 now, yipee!!! Will be thinking of you when I am running tonight, thank you, xxxx Ho Ho H

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  3. I don't know what you're talking about! But I know santa wanted you to hit 2000! Will be thinking of you at midnight... hope you do bump into old st nic! ;-) xx

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  4. awwwwwwwww that was soooooo good. very well done diane.

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Thanks for reading... feel free to leave me a message. Maggiee x