Christmas Eve
by
Julie Lineker

The children lay in bed this special night
Holding their breath with eyes closed tight
They know the magic won't be right
If they are found awake after midnight
Shhh, at last they hear a sound
Tinkering bells in the background
Do they dare open their eyes
And peep out at the dark skies
Will they only see the snow
Or is Santa parked across the road
They hear a creak, is it the door
Or is it the cat creeping across the floor
No this time they know for sure
It definitely was the bedroom door
Not one child dares to breathe
Or make a sound in bed this eve
They knew it was he creeping across the floor
Even quieter than the year before
Will he leave me a doll's house
Some toy soldiers and a sugar mouse
There's a lot of rattling, a creak, a groan
Now he's finally leaving our home
We wait in bed for what seems like hours
Until we're sure the house is ours
Then we are all out of bed
Feeling around to see what's been left
Our sacks are full, O what joy
We have been good girls and boys
We feel around and shake each one
To us Christmas day has begun
But suddenly out of the dark
GET BACK TO BED! The grown-ups bark.