Here’s a piece I pulled together based on A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore:
‘Twas the day after Thanksgiving, when all through the store
Employees were frightened as shoppers screamed “more!”
The sale papers had been scanned and clipped with great care,
In hopes a few bucks could be saved here and there.
The CEOs were still nestled all snug in their beds,
While the sounds of cash registers danced in their heads;
And mammas in their sweatpants, and daddies in their caps,
Were ready to do battle since they’d taken quick naps.
And there on the TV, there arose such a clatter,
I hit the volume button to see what was the matter.
Away to the registers, the workers flew like a flash,
As patrons tore through doors and made a mad dash.
The news crews were capturing it all for the show,
How many were injured, police did not know.
When, what to my wondering mind should appear,
But a moment of pause when things seemed quite clear.
With a move of my hand, so lively and quick,
I saw more news with every mouse click.
More rapid than eagles the shoppers they went,
Store to store they ran, for bargains hell-bent;
And they whistled, and shouted, and called each other names,
All because they wanted some big TVs and Wii games.
And the families of workers, were just rising up
Pouring coffee and orange juice into their cup.
“Mommy’s been there since 3!” the smallest kids shouted,
The true meaning of Christmas they suddenly doubted.
“If it’s supposed to be about giving and love,
Why are those people doing a push and a shove?”
It’s that special time, their daddy did say,
When stores cut prices like no other day.
And shoppers forget there is a real reason,
That Christmas can be such a wondrous season.
Their wits will return when they see what they did,
But on that one terrible day, they all blow their lid.
No bargain’s too little as they cruise through the mall,
They’ll hit every store, not just most but all.
And when Christmas day comes and the kids see their toys,
Popular dolls for the girls and hot games for the boys,
I wonder if they’ll sit back and remember,
That long, horrifying day in November;
When their friends and neighbors went on the attack
To buy so many things, on the Friday known as Black.
. . .
(Sale sign picture courtesy of bixentro’s Flickr photostream.)
Here Comes Later 