'Twas the Night before Christmas

[Duff 206]

The "old timers" around here have endured this annual bit of Christmas cheer for several years. I hope it brings a smile to our newer members, with warmest wishes to all for a wonderful Christmas!

Dedicated to all the members of Red Square world-wide and our families.....(with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore!)

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all ‘round our house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The tractors were parked in their stalls with great care,

I felt very blessed just to know they were there.

Our boy-dog was nestled all snug on our bed,

While visions of Milk Bones danced round in his head.

My wife in her PJ’s had gone off to snooze,

While I’d settled down for the late evening news.

When somewhere outside there arose a dull roar;

It rattled the walls, it shook the whole floor!

I ran to the door and flung it wide open,

To see what the heck had fallen or broken.

The yard light shone bright on the new fallen snow,

Where nothing had crashed, no damage did show.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But eight Wheel Horse tractors! Why now, and why here?

They pulled a large trailer piled high front to back,

With parts and attachments, some red and some black!

Motors and mowers and switches and wires,

And belt guards and tillers and wheels with new tires!

Then even more tractors appeared on our street,

They came two by two in ranks very neat.

RJ’s and GT’s and B’s, C’s and D’s,

With numbers and letters of every series.

Their engines did thunder, their hot exhaust rose,

The air filled with laughter and hearty “Ho! Ho’sâ€Â!

Though I did not know all the drivers by name,

They flew a big banner, “Red Square†it proclaimed!

As quick as they’d come they all slid to a stop,

Then a man dressed in red appeared near my shop!

I could see that he carried a very large sack,

It bulged and it sagged and it ‘near broke his back!

He winked and he grinned as he switched on the light,

Then pulled the door shut to hide from my sight.

“This can’t be realâ€Â, I thought to myself,

“I’m too old to believe in the ‘jolly old elf’ â€Â!

He was gone but a moment, then quickly came back,

His stepped seemed much lighter, and so did his pack.

He signaled ‘thumbs up’ with a mischievous smile,

Then boarded his wagon, climbed back up the pile.

Atop this great load, with white beard and hair,

The man all in red hailed the drivers by pair:

“Now Karl, now TT, now Ian, now Bill,

On Chuck, on Charlie, on Mike, on Will….â€Â

“We’ve far to go boys, let’s keep up the pace,

Open your throttles, we’re in quite a race,

We’ve six thousand homes to visit this night,

Our work must be done before it’s daylight!â€Â

I started to step out to say a “Thank you!â€Â,

But this man was fast, and so were his crew!

Clutches were dumped as engines did scream,

The herd quickly vanished as if in a dream!

I now think ‘twas Santa who commanded this fleet,

Atop his red wagon in a 520 seat,

For his words echoed long after he’d gone out of sight,

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!â€Â

If a herd of red tractors should come to greet you,

On the night before Christmas, a jolly red crew,

It’s just folks from Red Square who’ve cleverly planned

To get more seat time giving Santa a hand!

*** *** *** *** *** ***

May the Holidays be filled with peace, love, happiness and contentment for all of us, May the Lord as you may choose to define Him in your life bless and watch over you,

May the memories of those who have left us remind us of how precious life is, and

May 2012 be filled with peace, prosperity and good health for us all!

[Trouty56 567]

That's great Duff. I guess I should set out a 5 gallon can of gas along with the milk and cookies.

Thanks for the Christmas wishes....back at ya!!

[wheelhorse656 20]

Now thats Awsome!!!!!

Hope everyone has a merry christmas and a very happy and good new year!

[varosd 1,185]

rock on Duff! Happy Christmas!!

[dclarke 4,032]

Always a good read Duff. Thank you Sir! Merry Christmas!

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,332]

The "old timers" around here have endured this annual bit of Christmas cheer for several years. I hope it brings a smile to our newer members, with warmest wishes to all for a wonderful Christmas!

Duff, it just isn't Christmas around here till you post your poem.

Thanks for the smile and good wishes!

Mike.........

[Irv 115]

And right back to you Duff and to everyone else, a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year! And thanks for the poem.

[smoreau 658]

Merry Christmas Duff and thank you for the great poem!! I know what I will be dreaming of tonight.........

[rmaynard 15,514]

Good job again Duff. Thanks and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[71_Bronco 1,072]

I'd be a liar if I said that didn't melt my heart LOL. I can be a big softy sometimes.

Great twist on a classic favorite.

Merry Christmas to all!

[tunahead72 2,424]

Duff,

I'm so glad I decided to sit down and check out RedSquare one more time this evening, this made my day!

And I promise you won't have to twist my arm to read it all again next year.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, and to everybody else at RedSquare!

[AMC RULES 37,130]

Now that's a RedSquare classic Duff, Merry Christmas to you as well.

It's good to know Santa Claus sports a 520 too. Thanks for sharing.

[tmix 34]

Great stuff Duff. tmix

[ce318 13]

First things first. Awesome poem. I really enjoyed that and if I can figure out how to print it I will. Okay Santa, I want a bottom plow, disc, harrow and a cab for a 418 a.. Oh and a sleeve hitch and SNOW. But most of all, I would really like to see the people of the world have the kindness, generosity and compassion that I have witnessed here on Red Square. All of you make this site what it is, a real pleasure to belong to. So from our home to yours. Have a Merry Christmas a Happy New Year. Blessing to all.

Chris

[gcole 36]

Merry Christmas everyone

[JimD 3,345]

A true Redsquare Classic lives on. Thank you Duff. :)

[boovuc 1,090]

Merry Christmas, Duff!

And I pray many more to come!

[racinfool40 202]

Outstanding!!! merry christmas to all and i hope you all have a blessed New year with health and Happiness..... :occasion-santa:

[sgtsampay 117]

That was really cool. Very nice.

[Jake Kuhn 1,555]

Now that was great! Merry Christmas Everyone,Jake

[can whlvr 993]

merry christmas duff,your quite the poet,thanks for the read :thumbs:

[stevasaurus 22,764]

Thanks for that Duff. To all the members...have a safe and Merry Christmas.

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,293]

Always a fun part of Christmas, thanks Duff and Merry Christmas to you and all of RedSquare!

[Ole MN 11]

have a safe and happy holidays :text-merryxmas:

[c161rat 185]

Merry Christmas too all my new friends at Red Square....And God Bless Us.....Everyone!!!!!!

The Rat