Joanne answers Santa's call

Good girl Joanne Giannino, who thought
Santa wanted poems about Christmas  books.

The night before Yuletide we car rumble home
singing the drunk lady’s 12-days-of-Christmas song

with the radio blaring, our tummies full, and our jammies just right,

we settle in for that longest winter night

Just me, my beloved, and our two little boys

Cuddling close for our favorite tale

Interpreted by Hallmark’s best popup book still

Gift from Aunt Lena we await with delight

For the ten little reindeer, the jolly old elf

the tradition the same year after year

drive to see family then roll on back home

tuck in for the night and enjoy the solstice yarn.

Santa, pleased as punch

Until last year, I couldn’t find that old book

So I scanned the magic web and found it on Ebay

With the price ranging from hundreds to mere tens

Made my bid, kept checking and finally won: a new copy!

The only flaw a ripped ribbon in its French door hard cover                               

But voila, with tape and glue and new trimming procured

A nearly new book to share with all, this in time for this year

Our tiny grandbaby, now two, her parents, our friends, and you!

With a wish for a Merry Christmas - from the friendly old saint 

and to all a good night - from his sleigh, he goes up, up, and away,

With a shout, with a song, with sleigh bells a clanging

And a quite cheery song for a Happy New Year!