Twas the Night Before New Year’s

Or a wish for a recreation filled New Year
(With many, many apologies to Clement Clarke Moore)
( adaptation by Rebecca Decker)

Twas the night before New Year’s when all through the town,
Not a creature was stirring, they were all sitting down.
The stockings were empty, just filled with air,
There’s nothing to do here, one kid did declare.

The children were bored and glued to TV
Unhappy and yawning and not filled with glee.
And Mama in her bandana and I in my cap
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the road, there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the sofa to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Threw open the garage door, and knocked over the trash.

The sun on the brown of the dull winter’s grass
Gave the luster of bronze to all things in its grasp,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a softball team with eight full bags of gear!

With a little old Coach, so lively and loud,
In just a moment, he’d drawn a crowd!
More rapid than eagles this team they ran,
And he whistled and shouted and called out a plan:
Now Mom, and Dad,
Now lass and lad
On brother and sis,
There’s not a moment to miss!
To the Echo Lake Ball field
To the school gym
Now run, jump and play
Let’s move every limb!

As ice that before the snow blower flies,
When it meets with the blades, and mounts to the skies,
So out to the road, the kiddies they flew,
With Mommy and Daddy and the dog too.

And then in a twinkling, I heard on the lawn,
Much laugher and shouting, Where had everyone gone?
As I swiveled my head, and quickly turned round,
Down the street, more kids came with a bound!
They were dressed all in uniforms from head to feet,
For softball, and basketball, with sneakers and cleats.
Boys and girls, young and old, were in their crew,
And they looked bright and cheerful
Their feet fairly flew!

Their eyes how they twinkled, their smiles how jolly
They were ready to pitch, to punt, pass, and volley
Their arms and their legs were straight and strong,
And they ran, jumped and skipped as they came along
The end of a bat some held tight in their grasp
While others had soccer or footballs to clasp
They had broad grins that were full of laughter
And everyone cheered and followed straight after

They were slim and trim, a right cheerful old crew
And I laughed when I saw them, you would have too
A wink of the eye and a shout to the crowd
Soon had everyone laughing and shouting out loud

They cheered as they ran straight to their games,
There’s room for everyone they exclaimed!
And laying aside their gloves and their hats
They gave a great cheer and threw up their bats

They sprang to the stands, to the crowd gave a shout,
Get active, get going, and get out and about!
Let’s all join in for 2008
Happy Recreation to all, you’re gonna feel great!