Twas the Night Before Christmas...Mom Style© By Catherine Cornell

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the abode, Only one creature was stirring, she was cleaning the commode.

The children were sleeping, all snug in their beds,
While visions of X-box 360 and IPODS flipped through their heads.

Dad was snoring in front of the family TV
With a half-constructed bike propped up on his knee.

So only Mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh, "Now what's the matter?"

''Ho! Ho! Ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake---
My gift to you was especially difficult to make."

''Thanks Santa, but all I want is time alone."
''Exactly!" he chuckled, "so I've made you a clone."

''A clone?" she muttered. "What good is that?"
"Now run along Santa, I've no time to chat."

Then out walked the clone, the dear mother's twin,
Same hair and same eyes, the same double chin.

"Fantastic!" mom cheered, "My dream has come true!
'I'll shop and I'll read and I'll sleep the night through!"

From the room up above, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy come quickly----I'm scared and I'm wet!"

The clone replied, "I'm coming sweetheart."
''WOW!" the mom smiled. "She sure knows her part."

The clone changed the small one and sung him a tune
As she bundled him up in a blanket cocoon.

"You're the best mommy ever---I really love you!"
The clone smiled and said, "I love you too!"

The real mom frowned and said "Santa , no deal!
That's my baby's love that she's trying to steal."

Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it's so clear,
Only one loving mother is needed right here."

The mom kissed her child and tucked him in bed,
"Thank you so much, dear Santa, for clearing my head."

Knowing time goes too fast, and it won't be too long,
That her children will no longer need her cradle nor song.

The clock on the mantle then began to chime;
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."

And with the clone at his side, Santa said, "Goodnight
Merry Christmas, dear mom, you will be all right!"