BY DAVID GLENN

‘twas the night before Christmas, and all through the cave

Not a creature was stirring, no matter how brave.

The satchels were hung by the opening with care

In hopes that the Great Spirit would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their pelts,

While visions of roast mammoth danced in their heads.

And Mamma in her dress and I in my fur,

Had just settled down for a long winter’s brr,

When out in the field there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter,

Away to the cave entrance I flew in a flash,

Throwing the clubs which landed with a bash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the luster of midday to objects below

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But a flying sleigh and eight giant deer

With a figure so mighty all would fear it,

I knew in a moment it had to be the Great Spirit.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

“Now, Basher! Now, Hasher! Now, Pounder! Now Smitten!

On, Comet! On, Stupid! On, Yonder and Bitten!

To the top of the cliff! To the top of the wall!

Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the clifftop the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys and the Great Spirit too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the rock

The prancing and pawing of each great buck.

As I drew in my head and was turning around,

Through the rock the Great Spirit came with a bound

He was dressed all in cloud from his head to his foot,

And no tear was to be found, not even on his boot.

A bundle of tools He had flung on his back,

And He looked like a hunter come to the pack.

His eyes, how they shone! His dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, His nose like a berry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was whiter than snow.

The light of the moon around him seemed to dim,

As if He had light coming from Him on a whim.

He had a proud face, and a body like a tree,

He held himself up tall, strong to even see.

He was mighty and firm, a right powerful Spirit,

And I bowed when I saw Him, I had to do it.

A wink of His eye and a twist of His head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word but went straight to His work,

And filled all the satchels, then turned with a jerk,

And waving a hand right before my face,

And with a blink, vanished from my place.

He appeared in his sleight, to His team gave a command,

And away they all flew like the hunt of a hound.

But I heard Him exclaim ere He left from my sight,

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”