by Kim Babcock

Created on: February 10, 2009

Twas the night before Christmas and all through New Yo~k,
Late shoppers were hustling and acting ber-zo~k.
The children were bundled from wee heads to wee toes
With caps, scarves, wool mittens, and heat sticks that glow.

The people, so frantic; their shoes were ablaze,
From quick darting and dodging in that holiday maze.
Economic aid is wrapped tightly with synthetic bows,

To entice us to shop and forget all our woes.

But then came a madness, a deafening noise,
An outcry, "No Wii's!" The most sought after toys.
A rumor of hidden supply hit the halls,
So, we dashed away, dashed away, dashed away all.

The lone store was crowded with insane buffoons
And lunatics tore through all the window-show rooms.
Then off to the cashiers with our spoils from the war
Discovered endless long lines, we shook to the core.

When we finally advanced to the front of the line,
Our cash was now worthless, due to employment decline.
So, we charged up our credit on cards made of plastic
In the hopes that the banks would just cut us some slack ~ "tsk."

Then we ran back to wrap up those predestine woes,
Unbeknownst to the exploit, on how soon they'd foreclose,
On our houses, our cars, and our clandestine wealth,
Crooked banks will take back using vociferous stealth.

But what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger, my dears
(Such mush in our heads, oxy-moronic jeers)
But never mind how we'll survive this foul game
For no one admits when they've fallen to shame.

While nay-Sayers balance the gifts from last year
To glimpse a cost difference in holiday cheer.
No work for our income, no remedial pout
Just waiting for Bush's economic bail-out.

Our woes won't self-cure, they'll come back from the haunt,
From this impulsive spending, our gift-purchasing jaunt.
But, Merry Xmas to all! We misguided paupers!
Cheers to the State of Union of Imprudent Shoppers!

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