'Twas The day After Halloween

TWAS THE DAY AFTER HALLOWEEN


Twas the day after Halloween, when all through the town, not a pilgrim was stirring, none could be found.

The stockings were hung in the stores with care, in hopes that the public, their money would share.

Christmas decorations in greens and reds, caused visions of dancing dollars in corporate heads.

No Thanksgiving figures with cute pilgrim caps, but Carols blared at the shoppers, from Bach to Rap.

Cherry pickers labored at 6o degrees, to place giant snowflakes to swing in the breeze.

To the service window, I went to complain, as they looked at me with clear disdain.

The glow of the wreath upon the wall, made the manager’s nose look like a red ball.

I opened my mouth the scene to protest, “Where’s the pumpkins, turkeys, fall leaves, and the rest?”

“The cornucopias with gourds all aglow, and Native Americans with arrow and bow?”

“The grateful hands, folded in prayer, reminding us to thank Him for all of His care.”

“The cornstalks, and hay bales and tables a-groan, I think this is crazy, am I alone?”

The manager patted me upon my head, then lifted his arms, his fingers all spread.

“All this,” he cried, “gets folks in the mood, to spend their money on more than food.”

“As profits go, Thanksgiving’s a bust, unless it’s combined with commercialized lust.”

“The “Season of Peace” needs a jump start, to persuade the shoppers with their money to part.”

“Our fourth quarter profits depend on this scene, without drawn-out holidays, our year would look lean.”

He then winked his eye, and twisted his head. His maniacal laugh filled me with dread.

The carols grew louder, the Santas all danced, the reindeer and snowmen swirled as they pranced.

The red and green packages bounced in fake snow, the evergreens sparkled, their lights a bright glow.

And laying his finger aside of his cheek, out of the cubicle the manager streaked.

Through the store, he ran, this way and that, and I heard him exclaim as he put on his hat, “Happy Spending to all, so our profit’s not flat!”