how many days until christmas?

she was one of these people

that kept

count of how many days it was

until christmas.

every time you saw her, she'd say

with an enormous cheery smile,

only 98 more days

until santa comes

down the chimney.

and then finally it arrived.

she'd put on her green wool cap,

her red sweater,

and stockings to match.

she had a tree in every room.

lights galore

were nailed to every edge

of the house.

candles in the window.

ten blow up reindeers in the yard.

christmas carols

were playing from loud speakers.

cookies were baking.

candy too.

she set up a manger with

live animals

and a baby jesus smiling

in a bed of straw.

i heard the other day she was in

an insane asylum

for killing her husband,

whether that's true or not,

i'm not sure.