Wednesday, December 21, 2011

A Barnyard Christmas...Revised

I  originally entered a shorter version of this poem in Susanna Leonard Hill's Holiday Contest.  But I felt it was unfinished...so I thought about it some more and realized what was missing...a holiday celebration!


Here is the updated poem...even though I know I've already entered the other one...;0)






A BARNYARD CHRISTMAS



Twas the night before Christmas and all through the barn,
Not a creature was stirring while down on the farm.
The chickens were nestled all snug in their coop,
And the dog snored softly out on the stoop.
While outside the ram with all of the ewes
Had just settled down for a long evening’s snooze,
When high above them there came such a sound
That all ears perked up; yes, even the hound.
Oh, what did they see up there in the sky?
But a bed made of straw with an eagle perched high,
With eight graceful hawks pulling that nest
While Santa Claws opened his great treasure chest.
He showered down gifts for all those below,
As creatures played in new fallen snow.
There were new wool coats for the ram and the ewes
And for the tired old hound?  Two pairs of new shoes!
Even the chickens were clucking with glee,
As they opened not one egg warmer, but three!
He started out slow, then picked up the pace,
Until presents were piled all over the place.
Hawks landed and Santa Claws hopped out,
Looking around, he said with a shout:
“Decorate the stalls, hang up the lights!
It’s time to party on the ol’ farm tonight!”
Hens started dancing while the pigs joined in,
“Eggnog’s on us!” cows said with a grin.
Young one’s games mixed with the laughter
As holiday songs shook all the rafters.
At last, one by one voices died low
As back to bed all the animals go.
With a last look around, they took to the sky
Just eight tiny hawks with an eagle perched high
And the animals heard as they flew far away,
“You’ll see us again before next Christmas Day!”





6 comments:

  1. The celebration adds a lot to the story, Donna. Well done! I especially like the cows saying the eggnog's on us :)

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  2. If animals could talk, I think they would enjoy your interpretation of their Christmas Celebration...good job, Donna!

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  3. I agree. This is a wonderful addition to your original poem.

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  4. Thank you, Susanna, sayings like that just seem to pop into my head out of nowhere and it seemed to fit with the poem. I'm glad you like it! I think I'm going to send it to Rate Your Story after the new year and see what those judges think...I keep reading it to see where I need to improve it but its so hard to figure it out sometimes when I'm so close to the writing...lol...

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  5. Thank you, Jarm...as hard as animals work on the farm and with the ultimate outcome for most of them, they DESERVE a party now and then, don't you think? ;0)

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  6. Thanks, janet...it was bugging me...I cold feel somethign was missing but it took me a few days to figure it out...

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