Chris McKeown
| Special to The Enquirer
I have been following a theme this December with articles related to various holiday traditions. I am going to keep the theme going this week. This one is taken from one of the most popular, generational traditions in the country. I am referring to the reading of the poem, “The Night Before Christmas.”
This is a modified version of the poem called, “A Gardener’s Night Before Christmas.” In the early days of his radio show, my dad was given this poem from one of his listeners.
On the last Saturday before Christmas, he always enjoyed doing a special show for the holidays. My dad and his radio sidekick, Gary Sullivan, who hosted the hardware show combined their shows for this special program. They made their families part of the show: as teenagers for my dad and little kids for Gary. We all participated in this special show.
During the Christmas show, my dad always read this poem to his listeners. It was very popular, and he received many requests for copies of it.
I found this version in an article in the Iowa City Press Citizen written by Judy Terry. She was also sharing the poem and noted that the original author remains anonymous.
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the yard
the branches were bare and the ground frozen hard;
the roses were dormant and mulched all around
to protect them from damage if frost heaves the ground.
The perennials were nestled all snug in their beds
while visions of 5-10-5 danced in their heads.
The newly planted shrubs had been soaked by the hose
to settle their roots for the long winter’s doze;
and out on the lawn, the new-fallen snow protected the roots of the grasses below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
but a truck full of gifts of gardening gear.
Saint Nick was the driver, the jolly old elf
and he winked as he said, “I’m a gardener myself.
I’ve brought Wilt-Pruf, Rootone and gibberellin, too.
Father can try them and see what they do.
To start new plants, a propagating kit.
Sparkling new shears for the old apple tree.
To seed your new lawn, I’ve a patented sower;
in case it should grow, here’s a new power mower.
For seed planting days, I’ve a trowel and a dibble.
And a roll of wire mesh if the rabbits should nibble.
For the feminine gardener, some gadgets she loves:
plant stakes, a sprinkler and waterproof gloves;
a chemical agent for her compost pit.
And for pH-detecting, a soil testing kit.
With these colorful flagstones, lay a new garden path
for the kids to enjoy, and bird feeder and bath.
And last but not least, some well-rotted manure.
A green Christmas year-round, these gifts will ensure.”
Then jolly Saint Nick, having emptied his load,
started his truck and took to the road.
And I heard him exclaim through the motor’s loud hum,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a green thumb!”
I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy holidays. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you each week. I hope that together, week by week we are adding beauty while contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable environment. Most importantly, in the new year I hope we all can find more time being in our favorite place – the garden.
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