Poetry

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'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the hood,
All of God's children were as good as they could,
But for one most exceptionally sinister villain,
Who stole and destroyed while the people were chillin'

(That's the intro)


The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While the thief stole their pillows from under their heads,
Mama sat nodding as dad took a nap,
There in his recliner; the dog in his lap,

When out in the kitchen there came such a crash,
Mom said "What's the matter!" Dad said, "Don't be rash...
More likely than not it's the cat with a mouse,
You know how she likes chasin' them through the house."


Amidst billows of protest dad finally went,
Mama would not give up, no she would not relent,
Fire poker in hand while the dog barked and bellowed,
The closer he drew papas' legs turned to jello,

As he turned the knob on the door he felt sick
The aroma of fear in the air growing thick,
For sitting right there in the room at our table,
Ol' Satan reclined - No this wasn't a fable!



"Come, sir... have a seat!" hissed the fellow in red,
"I- I'd much rather stand", stammered dad as he said,
"I'm a God-fearin' man, I don't want any trouble."
"Oh, you don't?" said ol' Scratch, "Well, I'm ready to rumble!!!"

Then he tossed down on the table before him,
A glowing hot book that was red on the rim,
Papas' name was inscribed in a sickening black,
His heart pound inside him as he stumbled back,


The dog began yelping and scratching the door,
The Beast pointed at him; he fell to the floor,
Mama cried out, quite in fear of the fray,
Papa said, "Stay out there... and for Gods' sake, just pray!!!"

And taking the seat just across from his foe,
Daddy lowered his voice and said, "Devil... Let's go."
Lucifer smiled as he opened the book,
Dad leaned closer in; Satan said, "Take a look"


On the first page a picture of his little love,
His angel, God's blessing sent down from above,
With hugs for her daddy and kisses for mama,
On the next she's a teen, complete with the drama,

Dad's smiles turned to sadness, the images faded,
Turn the page and his girl becomes hopeless and jaded,
Consumed by the world, she left home... left the Lord,
"But I've been a good dad... So, is this my reward?"


"You held her and helped her to simply arrive,
And taught her that "things" are the key to survival,
You've done well to remember to give her your time,
But you've blessed me by leaving salvation behind."

"Admit you're defeated", the criminal baited,
Though wounded and torn dad was not yet persuaded,
He would not give in to this babbling crook,
"So, show me some more of your sinister book."


Papa's countenance sank when he viewed the next page,
The lines on his face nearly doubled his age,
The picture alive, it now played like a scene,
A man walking out on his family it seemed,

A boy tugged his pant-leg; cried, "Daddy, don't leave!"
His hear torn to pieces; a wife left to grieve,
Now, alone in the silence - a bullet, a gun,
As he bled, Papa cried, "Not this fate for my son!!!"


"What now?" Said my father, not wanting to show it,
But defeat was upon him and Scratch seemed to know it.
"Too late" said the devil, "It's written in stone.
You've helped seal their fate; yeah, you... you alone."

"Now here's the last turn of the story you've wrought,
I'd like you to see it and, please; share your thoughts"
"What more could you show me... what more could I lose?"
"Why, of course", said the Liar, "I'll do as you choose"


As smoke from the depths rose up from the tome,
Neglect and abuse took dads' mem'ries by storm,
A life with no father, a mother undone,
Who took out the perils of life on her son,

The pain that was felt that he once thought was hidden,
And a trust that wrought things that by God were forbidden,
Came flooding as images rolled and receded... (pause)

When the book finally closed...

dad was truly defeated.


"You gave up on Jesus and God was your crutch
He was 'Big Man Upstairs' to you... God? Not so much."
Beelzebub grinned, said, "My work here is done.
I salute you, kind sir... that was WAY too much fun!"

He guffawed at the prospect of sorrow and death,
Exhaling sulfur with each fiery breath.
While Satan rejoiced he just did not see;
That Papa had dropped to the floor on his knees,


His prayers grew in volume as faith came alive,
Before anyone knew Mama knelt by his side,
Their praise became stronger, now Satan, aware,
Of a Presence that made him wish he were not there,

The book on the table spun wildly in place,
The roof opened wide and it flew into space,
"WAIT! What are you doing! Don't go toward the Light!!!"
Satan proclaimed then he faded from sight

For the first time dad felt Jesus making him new,
And there as he prayed mama knelt with him too,
The kids now were standing right there in the door,
Eyes wide with wonder, "What's all the noise for?"

Dad knelt and took their small hands in his own,
And swore to each one they would not be alone,
He led them to Jesus right there at the door,
Explained to them both just what Christmas was for


And so changed their fate when Christ made their souls right,
For that's just how it happened that Christmas Eve night.

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