'Twas the Night Before Wintersday

‘Twas the night before Wintersday, when all through the hall,

Not a creature was stirring, not even Dee’s princess doll;

The stockings were hung on the mantel with care,

In hopes that Toymaker Tixx soon would be there.

The Wardens were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of buttered spirits danced in their heads;

The minions at rest, and I done with the booze,

Had just settled down for a long Wintersday eve snooze.

When out in the courtyard there rose such a clatter,

I stumbled from bed to see what was the matter.

Over empty bottles and presents I tripped,

Opened the window and nearly fell on my hip.

The full moon reflecting off the snow-maker’s snow,

Seemed to brighten all of the objects below,

When, what to my drunken-tired eyes should I see,

But a massive airship, helmed by an asura smiling with glee.

That little keen driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be Toymaker Tixx.

Quicker than raptors, his emissaries they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

“Now, GOLEM! Now, PRINCESS! Now, GRIFFON! Now, SOLDIER!

On, VENTARI! On, TOXX! GO! Fill them with wonder!

Get ready to jump to the top of the hall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!

Like snowflakes swept up into a storm to set to fly,

No obstacle too great could keep them from the sky,

So up to the hall-top the large airship flew,

With bags full of toys, and Toymaker Tixx too.

And then, all at once, I heard on the roof,

The prancing and dancing of each little foot.

As I straightened myself, and ran down the way,

Through the back door, the Toymaker came.

He wore workshop leathers, from his feet to his ears,

And he was covered in oil from his golems’ gears;

A bundle of toys he carried on his back,

And he looked just like a merchant when opening his pack.

His eyes- how they twinkled! His dimples- how merry!

His cheeks were rosy red, his nose like an omnomberry.

His toothy little mouth curled up like a bow,

And the tone of his skin was almost as white as the snow.

He wore a pair of goggles spanning from ear to ear,

And they glowed a bright light as the toymaker came near,

He had an oval face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed, like a quivering jelly.

He was small and a tad plump, a jolly ol’ elf,

And I giggled when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink in his eye and a twitch of his ear,

Soon let me know I had nothing to fear.

Not saying a word, he went straight to his work,

And filled all our stockings; then turned with a jerk,

Then flashing a grin so merry and bright,

He made for the back door and disappeared from my sight.

He went to his airship and to his toys gave a call,

And off they all flew away from the hall.

But I heard him exclaim with a sharp, toothy smirk,

“Happy Wintersday to all! Now get back to work!”