Twas the Night Before School Started...

Twas the Night Before School Started


retold by Carrie Thompson



'Twas the night before school started, when all through the house



Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;



The chairs were all pushed in by the table with care,



In hopes that little bottoms soon would be there;



The children were nestled all snug in their beds,



While visions of multiplication facts danced in their heads;



And mamma in her nightclothes, and I in my cap,



Had just settled down for a long summer's nap,



When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,



I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.



Away to the window I flew like a flash,



Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.



The streetlight on the breast of the sidewalk shows



Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,



When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,



But a miniature FED EX Truck, his logo was clear,



With a little old driver, so lively and fast,



I knew in a moment it must be my Math U See at last.



More rapid than eagles the Fed Ex Man came,



And he whistled, and shouted, and cursed my name;



"Now, Heights, now 8th street! now house! now stairs



On double time! on triple time! on overtime with care,



To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!



Now dash this! dash that! dash it all!"



As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,



So did driver drove away with a sigh.



So up to Yale Street the Fed Ex truck flew,



With the truck full of deliveries, and a route that was new.


But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,



"Happy schooling to all, and to all a good-night."