Tis the week before Christmas and every night As soon as the children are snuggled up tight And have sleepily murmured their wishes and prayers, Such fun as goes on in the parlour downstairs! For Father, Big Brother, and Grandfather too, Start in with great vigour their youth to renew. The Grown-ups are having great fun - all is well; And they play till it's long past their hour for bed. They try to solve puzzles and each one enjoys The magical thrill of mechanical toys, Even Mother must play with a doll that can talk, And if you assist it, it's able to walk. It's really no matter if paint may be scratched, Or a cogwheel, a nut, or a bolt gets detached; The grown-ups are having great fun - all is well; The children don't know it, and Santa won't tell. The Christmas Postman Here comes the welcome Christmas postman His cautious post-van skidding along the snow bound lane Now up our fresh cleared path he strides With Christmas greetings once again  It must be nice for those inside With garlands hung on every side With warmth and cheer and more beside And Christmas cards from far and wide The startled dogs leap at the window Excited children scramble towards the festive door The patient fir awaits its star Abandoned trimmings swathe the floor Try as I might I can't recall A Christmas time so sad withal I've had no cards or telephone call Forgotten by friends and family all The postman yields his precious cargo As do the children when mother joins them at the door Concealing gifts from Santa Claus And postmarks she's been waiting for It's my own silly fault I guess Not telling friends my new address Christmas seems to be a mess And now I'm faced with loneliness Each envelope is opened carefully Attentive faces waiting to hear the words inside Some tell the wondrous Christmas tale Each sent with love and more beside The folks from where he lived before Who had his post put through their door The Christmas cards he waited for And could not bear it any more Each card conceals a special meaning Apart from cribs and seasonal verses set in rhyme From those who love us all year round But just say so at Christmas time They found his house, which was quite near And brought his cards and Christmas cheer From all the people he held dear Who thought about him all the year Take those words, store them in your memory For dismal days when you're feeling lost and on your own Recall those words and those who sent them And then you'll know you're not alone Then postman thought, things aren't so bad I've had a card from mum and dad And all my friends to make me glad This Christmas is the best I've had Copyright © Emily Burton