Nocmas

Written by the SO Talented @ buggy101 So GOOD had to save a copy

T'was the night before Nocmas, when all through the lair, not a creature was stirring, not even a duskrat would dare: The stockings were hung, by the chimney with care, in hopes that the Veiled One soon would be there;

The hatchlings were nestled all snug in their nest, while visions of sugarbees entertain them while they rest; And my mate in her kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long night's nap,

When outside of the lair there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew over in a dash, tore open the curtains in a hurried flash.

The moon up above the glowing fungi made the grove feel bright to where you could see bats flying in the sky, when, what to myself who was wondering if I was seeing things, saw a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny willowmane deerlings,

With a little old driver, so lively and full of fun, I knew in a moment it must be the Veiled One. More rapid than rocs. his coursers they came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

"Now Speedy! Now Happy! Now Skippy and Tiny! On, Jewel! On Lovely! On, Trickster and Shiny! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now skip away! skip away! skip away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild crescendo flies, When they meet with an obstacle, they take to the skies, So to the top of the lair, the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and the Veiled One too.

And the, soon enough, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each tiny hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Dow the chimney the Veiled One came with a bound.

His mane was very long, it went from his head to his foot, But it was all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had between his wings, And he looked like Swipp revealing his things.

His eyes-How they sparkled! His horns, how merry! His scales were like roses, his snout like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and his majestic mane as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke was circling his head like a wreath;

He had a long face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of cubed jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old veil, And I laughed when I saw, not knowing what would entail; A wink of his eye that would fill a hatchling with cheer soon gave me to know I had nothing to fear.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then gave his head a jerk, And preparing his wings that looked so bright and new, gave me a nod, and up the chimney he flew;

He jumped in his sleigh, to his team he gave a whistle, And away they all flew, just as quick as I gather thistle. But I heard him yell, as he flew out of sight, "Merry Nocmas to all, and to all a good Nocturne Night!"