'TWAS THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS   edward coyle   Dec 21, 2003 07:46 PST  'Twas the day before Christmas, when all through Black Mountain Not a creature was stiriing, tree climbers not countin' The branches were stuck on the chimney, quite bare In hopes that an arborist soon would be there The clients were sleeping all on the first floor 'Cause the maple that fell, changed their roof to a door The wife in her kerchief, and him in his scarf Considered the cost, and needed to barf When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter He sprang from the couch to see what was the matter Away to the window he flew like a flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash The sun on the breast of the new fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to the damage below When, what to his wondering eyes should appear But chippers and trucks, and arborists near With a lanky driver, wait! I know that man I knew it must be the one called Blozan More rapid than eagles his workers they came And he whistled, and shouted, they moved like a flame They geared up and sharpened, they got to fixin' Warmed up the chippers, got 2 cycle mixin' Clear off the porch! And the top of the wall! Cut away! Cut away! Drag away all! As branches before the wild hurricane fly When they met with the chipper, did mount to the sky So up to the rooftop the arborists drew With gear bags of toys, they knew what to do And then in a roaring, he heard on the roof The 020's were cutting, offering proof As he drew in his hand, and was turning around Down the chimney ol' Will came with a bound He was dressed in warm clothing, from his head to his foot And his clothes were all tarnished with sawdust and soot A bundle of rope he had flung on his back And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack His eyes- how they squinted! His forearms quite hairy His cheeks were near frostbit, his nose like a cherry His droll little mouth, drawn up like there was trouble And the beard on his chin was nothing but stubble The stick of Wrigleys held tight in his maw Caused him to speak without moving his jaw He had a thin face and nary a belly Don't get too close, as his wet boots are smelly He was lanky and long, hardly an elf The client laughed when he saw him, in spite of himself A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Let J.Q. Public know, he had nothing to dread Will spoke a few words, and went straight to his work Clovehitched the mantle, and turned with a jerk Apllying ascenders his rope did accept And giving a nod, up the chimney he crept He sprang up to the rooftop, Gave his team a whistle And descended on down, with the speed of a missile As the truck drove away, engaging the tackle The tree came off the roof, with hardly a crackle And They heard him exclaim, when the claenup was done Merry Christmas to all!, now let's go home for some fun I wish all you ENTS a very Merry Christmas!                                                                                                       Ed   Home