Christmases Past

I'm reposting this from 2009.  

Two Zero Zero Nine.

Unreal!  I remember this like yesterday.

What are the holidays for, if not for looking back - remembering those we miss, treasuring those we have and looking forward to new and wonderful times.

How I still miss Helen.

There shan't be another bird like her.

Enjoy.

xo

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the coop,

not a chicken was stirring, except to go poop;

The stockings were hung by the roost box with care,

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The chickens were nestled all snug in their beds,

while visions of mealy worms danced in their heads;

Glenco in his boxers, and I in my cap,

had just settled down for a long winters nap;

When out in the coop there rose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter;

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

tore open the shutters and threw up the sash;

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,

gave a luster of midday to objects below;

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but a stinkin' raccoon and a whole lotta fear;

With my double barreled shot gun so lively and quick,

I thought for a moment, "I'm gonna be sick";

More rapid than eagles to the coop I came,

whistling and shouting and calling them by name;

Now Helen, Now Fifi, Now Scarlett , now Stubs, now Scooter,

now Pittypat, now Puffington and Plums!

To the top of the coop to the top of the wall!

Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!

So up to the coop top and roost box they flew,

I stood there and pondered, 'Oh my, what to do';

And just as I put the gun to my eye,

I heard from that coon a soft little sigh;

"I've come to make peace and say that we're sorry,

since the attack this past summer, we've done nothing but worry";

"You see we've repented and make an oath to you,

to not harm your chickens...this we promise you."

I peered at the coon with my gun still half cocked, could this be true?

Oh my, what a shock;

When down from the roost box limped poor little Helen,

what she was up to ...there's just no tellin';

With her one good eye, she looked square at that coon,

and said "I forgive you, God bless you real soon";

In all my born days, I've seen nothing like this -

that dear little Helen gave the raccoon a sweet kiss;

Back to her roost pole she flew without haste,

and said 'True repentance is a sad thing to waste";

"Please tell all your readers this most important part -

Christ was born, so we all could have a fresh start";

For a moment we stood there in the soft glow of moonlight,

I marveled at Helen and said 'You're so right';

I bent over and patted the coons little head,

"Mr Coon" I said, without any dread;

"It's been quite a day, and a miraculous night,

coons visiting chickens without as much as one bite."

I heard him exclaim as he scampered out of sight,

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"