T’was the Night Before School
T’was the night before the first day of school,
and all through the house,The only creature stirring was a frantic mom, quiet as a mouse.
Making sure every supply was labeled with care,And the first-day outfits were laid out on the chair.
The lunch boxes were packed and stored in the fridge,
Hoping morning would gap the anxiety bridge.The children were nestled all snug in their beds,While visions of recess danced in their heads.
And Ma in her sweatpants, and I in my cap,Had just settled our brains for a long-needed nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.The moon on the breast of the new-fallen dew,Gave a luster of midday to objects below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a yellow school bus, bringing autumn quite near.
With a seasoned old driver, so lively and quick,I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick—
No, wait, it’s the teacher, with binders and glue!She whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:"Now, Pencils! Now, Markers! Now, Notebooks and Slate!
On, Backpacks! On, Calculators! Please don’t be late!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the classroom the children they flew,With backpacks stuffed full, and the teacher’s list too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,The bell ringing loudly, the ultimate proof.
The teacher was dressed all in denim and plaid, And her smile was the biggest the kids ever had. A bundle of syllabi she had flung on her back, And she looked like a peddler just opening her pack.
Her eyes—how they twinkled! Her dimples how merry!
Her cheeks were like roses, her nose like a cherry!
Her droll little mouth was drawn up in a grin,As she welcomed the students and ushered them in.
She spoke not a word, but went straight to her work,
And filled all the cubbies, then turned with a jerk.
And laying her finger aside of her nose,And giving a nod, up the hallway she strode.
She sprang to her desk, to her team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard her exclaim, ere she drove out of sight—“Happy First Day to all, and to all a good night!”
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