The Week Before Christmas

'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the school
Not a student was quite, no matter the rule.
The children were busy with paper and pencil;
The teacher even let them use tensile.

The teacher half frantic and almost in tears,
Had just settled down to work with her dears,
When out in the hall there arose such a clatter
Up went the children to see the matter!

Away to the door they all flew like a flash;
The one who was leading went down with a crash.
Then what to their wondering eyes did appear
But a green Christmas tree! (To decorate I fear!)

When the teacher saw this, she grew almost sick.
She knew in a moment it must be Old Nick!
She ran to the door, all her efforts were vain,
But she shouted, and stamped, and she called them by name;

"Now Summer! Now Melissa, Now Jessica and Courtney!
Stop  Lane! Stop Stuart! Stop T.J and Zachary!
Now get to your places get away from the hall
Now get away! Get away! Get away all!"

Up went the tree and she thought it was going to fly
The children started scurrying by.
They ran to the blackboard and skipped down the aisle;
Their faces were shining and each had a smile.

First came a basket of popcorn to string
Then came the Christmas tree topper thing.
As the tree was brought in there arose a great shout;
The students were merrily romping about.

Her nerves how they jangled! Her temples were throbbing!
The rush of her breath sounded almost like sobbing!
A tear from her eye and a shake of her head
Soon led me to think that she wished she were dead.

She spoke not a word but went straight to her work,
Strung all the popcorn which broke with a jerk.
But at last it was finished and placed on the tree;
Then came the bell and the children were free.

Their shrill little voices soon faded away
And peace was restored at the end of the day.
As she looked at the Christmas tree glistening and tall,
She smiled as she whispered, Merry Christmas to all!