A Father's Christmas Carol

'Twas the night before Christmas, but this isn’t that rhyme.

For in bed my eyes opened, to the sound of crying.

I couldn't fake I was asleep, while my wife soundly slept

So down the cold dark hall, to the baby’s room I crept.

I picked him up, and said “say, kid, what’s the matter?

What’s the meaning of this, this crying and chatter?”

He answered me nothing, so to pace the floor I went

This wasn’t the first time you see, many nights had thus been spent.

After walking to and fro, for what seemed at least three hours

The baby was asleep again, and silence was in my powers

So I settled in a rocking chair, and thought of Christmas past

When out of the darkened wall, a spirit face did blast!

It was the ghost of Christmas past, or so he said forthwith

He was a jolly, carefree lad, of that you couldn’t miss

He danced around the room in flight, showing days gone by

And often bubbled out a laugh, at memories of old times

I rocked and chuckled and told him that, he sure knew me well

He laughed and rolled and agreed, but then his face fell

Looking at the sleeping child, he seemed in full wonder

And one more scene he did show me, one he seemed to live under

A fireplace decked in splendor, all the hallmarks of the season

Crackling logs, chestnuts roasting, a party is the reason

But something from that picture, was missing and so dire

For in that area so crowded now, hung just one stocking o’er the fire.

I turned to tell my old friend, it was time for him to go

But it was clear he knew his place, and left me to my own

Back in the darkness now, I rocked and wondered if

We’d be receiving another visitor, me and my sleeping fifth

We didn’t have to wait at all, a new ghost had appeared

Not the one I thought just might, but a future one and weird

He asked about tomorrow’s plans, and the next day and so on

It was clear right away you see, he lived to just go on

Glancing toward the baby’s face, he went on again

Talking about war, bills, food, and strife, and ways things might all end

There was no today with him, only pre-counted tomorrows

And enough worry had they, without adding on his sorrows

The baby moved and gave a grunt, and standing up I spoke,

“Look here in the present, sir, the baby you just woke

Those fears and qualms you may have, but I’ll raise you something deeper

If this child starts to cry now, I’ll pound you now ‘til leap year.”

A flighty soul was Future's ghost, and he left like that

This was good and calmed the child, so once again I sat

I rocked the chair content now, and thought of Christmas morn

For it was here the sun did say, the first since he’d been born.  

Caught up in a reverie, I suddenly started

For one more ghost we were due, and this left me ill-hearted

I wanted to stay as we were, undisturbed and in peace

And it was then I did realize, the ghost of present was me!

The bright house came alive, the kids rang the shout

“It’s Christmas Day Mom and Dad, it is there’s no doubt!”

‘Round the Christmas tree we all came, and the scene was truly done.

And so I said, “Enjoy the gifts you have today, and God bless us every one!”