by Doris Eraldi, submitted by Geraldine Bray

It’s the night before Christmas, we’re out in the barn Blanketing horses to keep them all warm

They’re eating their dinners, tucked in cozy stalls Not aware that it’s Christmas or any special day at all

They can dream of spring pastures from their pine-scented beds No visions of sugarplums dance in their heads

But we people are thinking of merry parties and such Maybe feeling a little sad at missing so much

This season is special but the horses don’t know We’ve got work to do before we can go

We finish the chores and head on inside To get ready for dinner and our own yuletide

It’s nearly midnight, the carols are sung I remember a story I was told when I was young

How at midnight on Christmas Eve The creatures of the barnyard can speak to us with ease

I am called to the barn, I wade through the rain I know I must go, I can’t really explain

I slide open the door, pause for a while Then slowly walk down that dully lit aisle

A nicker from Casey, a wink from JD Sleepy old Alibi waking to see

Tucker rustling his bedding, a snort soft and light Each horse gave a greeting as I walked through the night

I thought about parties bright lit and warm The ones we don’t go to ’cause we have the barn

And vacations and holidays that we don’t get When we’re working long hours for bills to be met

Walking all the way to the end of the aisle I stop to stroke Bonnie, it brings me a smile

She snuffles my face, hot breath on my skin It starts me to thinking about my horses, my kin

I could be at parties with laughter and mirth But where I am right now is the best place on Earth