The Day After Christmas

It’s the day after Christmas and time to undo

All the things that we did in the last week or two;

There’s the watch we gave Emma that wasn’t quite right,

And the slippers for Aunt Molly that felt a bit tight

There were golf balls as usual for dear Uncle Joe;

Can you believe that he didn’t let us know,

That the last time he played he shot a one-fifty-three,

Swore off of the game and broke a club ‘cross his knee?

The puzzle for little Walter and all of its pieces

Scattered through the house by the nephews and nieces

Are, alas, being gathered and placed back in the box,

And so are Baby Buster’s plastic building blocks.

A few wayward wrappings and discarded bows,

Are placed in a trash bag that soon overflows.

I can’t help but wince when I think of the time

I spent wrapping those presents, each one so divine.

I’m scraping the last of the leftovers out

And planning a new year of doing without

Trail mix, and cookies, and brownies, and pies,

Instead, I’ll be walking to get a burn in my thighs.

It’s amazing how much time was spent in preparation

All leading, of course, to that moment of elation

When you opened the box, shaped just like you hoped

And lying inside found what you wanted . . . er, nope!

I’m sure when I hinted I emphasized red

So why did he buy me a blue one instead?

It really doesn’t matter, I’ll just take it back.;

I’m hoping the receipt is still in the sack.

I vacuum more glitter and dismantle the tree

I’m returning to work soon . . . and that’s OK by me.

The Schuh Box: And "The Rest" is History

The Schuh Box: And "The Rest" is History: Wow, has it really been that long since I've posted? I've wanted to write and had moments of inspiration. But the days are long, and the e...

And "The Rest" is History

Wow, has it really been that long since I've posted?  I've wanted to write and had moments of inspiration.  But the days are long, and the evenings short.  And well, I need my rest.

I glance at Hubby in his chair
"Are you still awake over there?"
'Cause I myself have drooping lids,
After spending the day with a room full of kids
I'm yawning, and it's hard to keep
Myself from falling fast asleep
I'd like to watch the 10:00 news
But my internal clock says it's time to snooze
So I fold the afghan and turn out the light
Certain I'll sleep well tonight
I rouse Hubby from his chair
Lock the doors and climb the stairs
Stumbling, yawning all the way
In need of rest after a long hard day
Can't wait to rest my weary head
And lie 'neath cool Egyptian threads
My drooping lids so want to close
Eight hours is healthy, everyone knows
I'm comfy and cuddled in our bed
With dreams just forming in my head
When suddenly, the man I adore
Begins his ever-lovin' snore
A combo of a grunt and puff
It doesn't take long, I've had enough
It seems I'm suddenly wide awake
And, oh, I want to give him a shake,
But I decide that one of us should sleep
And grabbing my pillow, I quietly creep
From our cozy room and into the den
Where I try to fall asleep again
But as I said, I'm wide awake
It's 2:00 A.M., for goodness sake
I really need my beauty sleep
In four short hours my alarm will beep
Good grief, I can hear him clear in here
I hope you're sleeping soundly, Dear,
Did you catch the sarcasm in that last line?
Oh, no! Is that the sun starting to shine?
Dear Lord, I really need some rest
You know my students love to test
My patience on a daily basis
And without sleep, they may see traces
Of the evil one that lurks inside
The one that snips,and snarls, and chides
If not for me, do it for the kids
What's that? A closing of the lids?
At last, I feel that I can sleep,
And . . . I  . . . am . . . B-B-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-P!!!!!!!