Journal Entry # 295

December 24th, 2010

I will do what I do.

Twas the Night before Christmas

Read  by a child in the 3rd world.

 

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house , a house that would be would be a dream for me. We live in a one room shack.

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Cockroaches to mosquitoes. At least I do not have flies attached to my skin tonight

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, I don’t have any stockings and a chimney is not necessary as it is very hot here. Why would I hang stockings there will be nothing in them in the morning.

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there. I just hope no one comes tonight that will try and hurt us or take my brothers and sisters away.

 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, I sleep on the dirt floor with my brothers and sisters.

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. I have visions of any kind of food as i have not eaten in days.. What is a sugar plum and why would it dance?

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, we will wear the same clothes until they drop off.

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap. It is always hot here when it is not raining.

 

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, What is a lawn?

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. We always sleep with one eye open as we have been attacked many times before.

Away to the window I flew like a flash, I don’t have a window.

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. What are shutters and sashes?

 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow. I have never seen snow but I do like the moon.

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. It does shine bright as we have no electricity and we need the moon to see at night.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer. I don’t know why those things would be here.

 

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick. Who is ST. Nick does he help the sick?

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! What is a reindeer? We have Zebras here.

 

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! 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 house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too. I have one toy. It is a gun that was left over from the war. It does not work but I like to play with it. I would love a soccer ball. Do you have an extra one? My brothers and sisters do not have any toys either. Can you help us.

 

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

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound. Our roof is made of tin. Does this St. Nick bring you things? I would like him to bring us some food.

 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, Did he kill the reindeer to get that fur?

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. Why is he covered in stuff from the fire? Did he fall in?

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back, I would rather have some food and maybe just one toy.

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

 

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. I don’t think I would trust this man. He sounds like a drunkin guy I have seen who has a red nose.

 

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly! He sounds weird.

 

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, what is an elf?

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. Last time a man winked at a kid I knew he was hurt by the man. We do not trust people here.

 

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

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose! This sounds like a funny story.

 

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, we have no snow here can he use his sleigh in the dirt? Will it fit on our roof?

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. He can fly? This is a magic sleigh.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

What is Christmas? Is this big fat man god?

I would just really like some food and to be safe. Is there really a man that can fly and bring you toys? Why can’t he help us get some food and stop being sick? My mom is dying and I would like him to use some magic to help her get better.

Seek the truth always

Gary David Currie