’Twas the Night Before Christmas at the Co-op

’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the shop,
Not a creature was stirring — not even a mop.
The shelves were all stocked with great winter care,
In hopes that last-minute shoppers soon would be there.

The salt bags were stacked by the doorway with pride,
With shovels and propane all lined up outside.
And Scott in his work boots, and Dave with his cap,
Had just settled down for a short winter nap.

When out by the barn there arose such a clatter,
Dave sprang from his chair to see what was the matter!
Away to the counter he flew like a flash,
Tripped over some straw bales, made quite a crash!

The moon on the snow gave a bright, frosty glow,
That shimmered on feed bags all stacked in a row.
When, what to his wondering eyes should appear,
But a farmer in flannel — with his truck in low gear!

With a list a mile long and a grin ear to ear,
He said, “I need gifts — and I need ‘em right here!”
More rapid than reindeer, the Co-op crew came,
As Dave whistled and shouted and called them by name:

“Now Scott! Now Dave! Now Bo and Thad

Now Steve, now Austin, now Mike and Rob

Now Hunter, now Jay, now Joel and Linda,

Now Amanda, now Karen, now Susie and Amy

Now Jackie, Now Stephanie and Ruby
Grab gloves and some puzzles — there’s shopping to be!
Get honey and syrup, the sweet homemade kind,
And don’t forget tarps for that neighbor of mine!”

“To the top of the shelves! To the end of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Shop for them all!”
They gathered up dog food, and beauty from bees,
And chain saw oil, too, for those working on trees.

They packed up some hay bales and straw in a stack,
And loaded the bed of the farmer’s old rack.
Then off he drove smiling, his chores now complete,
With winter supplies and a Christmas so sweet.

And Dave heard him cheer as he drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas, Co-op — you make things just right!
From propane to puzzles, from feed to big poles,
You’ve got what we need to warm hearts and our souls!”