Twas the Night Before Christmas in the Serengeti
Dec 23rd, 2007, 12:13 AM
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Twas the Night Before Christmas in the Serengeti
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the park
Not a creature was stirring, not even a lark.
The Tommie carcass was hung in the tree with care
In hopes that in the morning it would still be there.
The cubs were nestled all snug in their grass beds
While visions of young wildies danced in their head.
And Mama on the kopje, and I just beside
Had just settled in, hoping to hide.
When out on the savannah there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the rock to see what was the matter.
Away past the acacias I flew like a flash,
Tearing through the river and making a splash.
The moon on the breast of the open terrain
Made night vision easy without a strain
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick
I knew in a moment that it must be a trick.
More rapid than vultures come after fresh game,
He whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen!
(Hey how did she get here, she’s supposed to be in the Amazing Race)
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the kopje! To the top of the mound!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild winds fly,
When they meet with an object, mount to the sky,
So up to the Kopje the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of game, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard proof
Of the prancing and pawing of each tiny hoof.
As I shook my mane, and turned around
Out of the sleigh St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from head to foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of game he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and although he was in red
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 trees with a fresh batch of wildebeest jerk.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT
Not a creature was stirring, not even a lark.
The Tommie carcass was hung in the tree with care
In hopes that in the morning it would still be there.
The cubs were nestled all snug in their grass beds
While visions of young wildies danced in their head.
And Mama on the kopje, and I just beside
Had just settled in, hoping to hide.
When out on the savannah there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the rock to see what was the matter.
Away past the acacias I flew like a flash,
Tearing through the river and making a splash.
The moon on the breast of the open terrain
Made night vision easy without a strain
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick
I knew in a moment that it must be a trick.
More rapid than vultures come after fresh game,
He whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen!
(Hey how did she get here, she’s supposed to be in the Amazing Race)
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the kopje! To the top of the mound!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild winds fly,
When they meet with an object, mount to the sky,
So up to the Kopje the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of game, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard proof
Of the prancing and pawing of each tiny hoof.
As I shook my mane, and turned around
Out of the sleigh St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from head to foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of game he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and although he was in red
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 trees with a fresh batch of wildebeest jerk.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT
Dec 23rd, 2007, 03:29 AM
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Girl, you're too funny!
One of the cards I received from Africa shows 'poor' Santa hanging for dear life from a tree branch; birds and little critters flying about and hiding. A rhino had just scared the bejesus out of the rolly-poly fat guy and was walking beheath with Santa's cap on his horn! Too cute!
One of the cards I received from Africa shows 'poor' Santa hanging for dear life from a tree branch; birds and little critters flying about and hiding. A rhino had just scared the bejesus out of the rolly-poly fat guy and was walking beheath with Santa's cap on his horn! Too cute!
Dec 23rd, 2007, 05:39 AM
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Lynda, is there no end to your talents ?!!! Obviously not 
We just got back from doing the Christmas food shop and I must say that your post has certainly gotten me in the mood for Christmas and also for a return trip to Africa!!!!
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Imelda
We just got back from doing the Christmas food shop and I must say that your post has certainly gotten me in the mood for Christmas and also for a return trip to Africa!!!!
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Imelda
Dec 23rd, 2007, 09:54 PM
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Just wanted to make sure that everyone knew that this is only a RE-WRITE of the original 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' by ?????I just rewrote some of the lines to fit the Serengeti, and took some poetic free-for-all to make the new ones rhyme....
I must say I had lots of fun doing i, I have never written - or re-worded - a poem before!
