A Cautionary Christmas Tale

[MPerry]

A CAUTIONARY CHRISTMAS TALE

 

there once was a boy-he knew no better -right from wrong

he was naughty instead of nice-now his world-will be turned

upside down-good versus bad –it’s gone on for way too long

 

now Christmas is almost here-they feel the joy- coming around the corner

every one knows it even that old baker man- wagging his finger-to which

the naughty boy promptly ignores- all of the glad tidings- their warning to him

 

this day-today- it will be- Christmas eve number twenty four

as his Mother and Father prepare–each holding their collective breath

waiting to learn -what hard lessons- for their boy-this night has in store

 

bad for him-the boy pays no heed of- for the man with magical powers

who is now making his way up from the north-for that one trip a year

he is checking his list-so if you don’t believe- you shall not be- one to receive

 

lo an behold-early on Christmas morn- that naughty boy who cares less

fights off sleep- while in his consternation-spied under the tree-sans no presents

but a single lump of coal-with a note signed by -Santa Claus knows best

 

there once was a boy-who thought he knew-now knows better- than anyone else

and from this night on- he’s learned his lesson-“it is better to be good than badâ€

he heeds the cautionary words- left for him-naughty boy -by the jolly old elf-himself

 

By Michael Perry (copyright)