The night before Christmas

It’s the night before Christmas,
The money is spent.
The credit card is maxed,
To hell with the rent.

The children are all confined,
To their beds behind closed doors.
Whispering of treats,
And presents galore.

Meanwhile in the lounge,
The parents madly wrap.
Sellotape this,
And quick label that.

Is there same number of gifts,
For Hannah and Ben?
Hurry and get this finished,
When suddenly, then...

From outside comes,
A stuttering roar.
The screech of tyres,
The slamming of car doors.

Who is this who disturbs,
The domestic unbliss?
The neighbours,
who else?
Santa is a myth.