'Twas a Phantomy Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Opera
not a creature was stirring, not even Carlotta.
Christine's stockings were hung in the Phantom's lair
in hopes that no one noticed when they suddenly were not there.

The ballet rats were nestled all snug in their beds
while visions of the Vicomte danced in their heads.
Madame Giry with her cane and Buquet with his flask
had just scared the girls into their long winters nap.

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter
that Christine sprang from her bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the roof she flew like a flash
tore up the stairs and hit the door with a crash.

The moon shone down on the newly fallen snow
and gave the luster of mid-day to Paris below.
When what to her wondering eyes should appear
but Erik, the Phantom, attacking a reindeer.

With a Punjab lasso so taught and so thick
she knew in a moment that death would be quick.
More rapid than eagles his curses they came
He whistled and shouted and called them by name.

"Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen!
Come Comet! Come Cupid! Come Donner and Blitzen!
The fat man's vermin a top Apollo's Lyre?
Not long before you'll be roast venison on my fire!"

And then in that moment, Christine heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As she closed her robe tight and turned herself round
she saw St. Nicholas come towards Erik with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his toe
and in one hand held Erik's oar used to row.
A bundle of gifts he had flung on his back
and looked like a thief with little or no tact.

Erik's eyes how they burned. St. Nick's how merry!
Erik's cheeks were like death. Nick's nose like a cherry!
They paced round each other, Erik wanting a row
but St. Nicholas just giggled as he stood in the snow.

"Away with your rope, I mean you no harm.
To your opera house I bring a little Christmas charm.
A new boat for your lake, a shiny new oar,
pens and some paper for your Don Juan score"

Erik spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
and tried to strangle Cupid with a turn and a jerk.
So Nicholas lay his finger to the side of his nose
and giving a nod of his head his reindeer magically rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a yell
and away they all flew like a bat out of Hell.
Then Christine heard Erik scream as they drove out of sight,
"Touch my things again and I'll silence your night!"

The End.