Twas the night before Christmas and all through the garden,
\nThe creatures were stirring, the deer got a pardon.
\nThe hummingbird feeders were hung by the chimney with care,
\nIn hopes that the Anna’s soon would be there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The flowering cherries were nestled all snug in their beds,
\nWhile visions of spring glory danced in their heads.
\nThe summer vegetables were harvested and beds put to nap,
\nThe compost’s a brewing so next year’s a snap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When out on the lawn there rose such a clatter,
\nI ran into the garden to see what was the matter.
\nAnd what to my wondering eyes should appear,
\nBut a big flock of chickadees and eight black-tailed deer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They spoke not a word, but went straight to their work,
\nThe chickadees devouring aphids with amazing teamwork.
\nAnd then, in a twinkling, I heard on the deck,
\nPrancing and pawing, the deer making a wreck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A hydrangea here, an abutilon there, this garden’s a feast,
\nWith edibles and perennials at the very least.
\nWe love this garden, they whispered to themselves,
\nWith any luck, they’ll think we’re the elves !<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beautiful flowers and nectar and fragrance abounds,
\nWe’ll include this forever on one of our rounds.
\nThe birds can sing and fly in the skies
\nBut we have the charm with huge brown doe-eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We get a bad rap, it’s not all our fault,
\nMost of our feeding grounds are covered with asphalt.
\nJust give us a sleigh and we’ll make you proud,
\nWe’re good for more than eating roses, they vowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Call us Dasher and Dancer and Comet and Vixen,
\nOr Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen,
\nThen maybe you’ll forgive us for our past mistakes,
\nWe can’t help that we eat plants, we don’t eat steaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now if you’ve been good this year, do make a wish,
\nAnd then when you see us- welcome, don?t banish.
\nAll of us creatures will give our best shot,
\nTo nourish your garden with nary a thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everybody listen carefully on Christmas Eve,
\nAnd maybe you’ll hear and then you’ll believe.
\nYou may even hear us exclaim as we prance out of sight,
\n“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My thanks to Clement Clark Moore who wrote the original poem in 1822 in New York. I’d like to believe that he would enjoy my version for gardeners everywhere. Happy Holidays from the The Mountain Gardener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Twas the night before Christmas and all through the garden, The creatures were stirring, the deer got a pardon. The hummingbird feeders were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that the Anna’s soon would be there. The flowering cherries were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of spring glory danced in … Continue reading Twas the Night before Christmas – A Poem for Gardeners<\/span> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jannelsonlandscapedesign.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/images\/2018\/12\/Jan_Sherman_Christmas_tree.jpg?fit=282%2C400\")