Fiction Fragment Friday
This is the third time I have written a parody of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas. I’m not sure why that in particular calls out to me to parody, but I can’t deny that it does. I do not write poetry normally so in the past I have focused on the rhyme and comedy. This time however I focused more on the craft. Not just rhyming lines, but really trying to capture the cadence so it could feel more like Moore’s original work when reading.
I discovered the term scansion while working on my form. It is the action of scanning a line of verse to determine its rhythm. It has an anapestic trameter. I still only barely grasp what that means so I couldn’t begin to know how close I came to achieving it. I will say though trying has given me a new respect for Clement Clarke Moore and poetry in general
‘Twas the Friday before Christmas, when all through the house
Every creature was stirring, especially the cat with her toy mouse;
My socks were tossed in the trash without any glee
For when I stood up, I had stepped in a puddle of pee
I wished to be nestled in my warm bed
Instead, I was stumbling into my kitchen with dread
I had once again been awoken by the sound of a crash
Now here I found my dog rolling around in the trash
When out on my porch came such clatter
I rushed to the door to see what was the matter
On my couch the dogs fought for a good window view
Much like myself they wanted the info too
There by my door sat a box with a dent
Pulling away was a driver unrepentant
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But an incoming, airborne inflatable reindeer
Caught by the wind and improperly secured
It struck me in the face, one more thing to be endured
The lazy delivery driver so careless and rude
Lingered to laugh, then departed amused
I shoved the rogue decoration out of the way
And wondered what else could go wrong on this day
I examined my package marked fragile, handle with care
For a happy outcome I’d little hope left to spare
Each year I say gift cards for all but a few,
But the easy way out is not something I do
My Christmas Spirit was at an all-time low,
I wasn’t sure it could take another blow
It once was my favorite time of year
Now I struggled to summon a bit of fake cheer
Christmas grew harder as I got older
At times I felt my heart growing colder
Memories lingered of those that I’d lost
And each passing year bore a heavier cost
I went back in my house package in tow
Determined to find some escape from my woe
With a sigh I then opened the box marked handle with care,
To find a smashed painting of a cat saying hang in there
I laughed at the irony laid out in plain sight
For the day I was having, it felt oddly right
The laughter began tinged with sorrow and regret
But ended in smiles, my spirit reset