* ’Twas the night before Christmas at Rock-Away Rest,
And all of us seniors were looking our best.
Our glasses, how sparkly, our wrinkles, how merry;
Our punch bowl held prune juice plus three drops of sherry.*
*A bed sock was taped to each walker; in hope*
*That Santa would bring us soft candy and soap.*
*We surely were lucky to be there with friends,*
*Secure in this residence and in our Depends.*
*Our grandkids had sent us some Christmassy crafts,*
*Like angels in snowsuits and penguins on rafts.*
*The dental assistant had borrowed our teeth,*
*And from them she'd crafted a holiday wreath.*
*The bedpans, so shiny, all stood in a row,*
*Reflecting our candle**’**s magnificent glow.*
*Our supper so festive -- the joy wouldn't stop --*
*Was creamy warm oatmeal with sprinkles on top.*
*Our salad was Jell-O, so jiggly and great,*
*Then puree of fruitcake was spooned on each plate.*
*The social director then had us play games,*
* Like “Where Are You Living?” And “What Are Your Names?”*
*Old Grandfather Looper was feeling his oats,*
*Proclaiming that reindeer were nothing but goats.*
*Our resident wanderer was tied to her chair,*
*In hopes that at bedtime she still would be there.*
*Security lights on the new fallen snow*
*Made outdoors seem noon to the old folks below.*
*Then out on the porch there arose quite a clatter*
*But we are so deaf that it just didn't matter.*
*A strange little fellow flew in through the door,*
*Then tripped on the sill and fell flat on the floor.*
* ’**Twas just our director, all togged out in red.*
*He jiggled and chuckled and patted each head.*
*We knew from the way that he strutted and jived*
*Our social security checks had arrived.*
*We sang -- how we sang -- in our monotone croak,*
*Till the clock tinkled out its soft eight-p.m. Stroke.*
* And soon we were snuggling deep in our beds*
* While nurses distributed nocturnal meds.*
* And so ends our Christmas at Rock-Away Rest.*
* ’**fore long you**’**ll be with us, we wish you the best.*