A Troll's Night Before Christmas


T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the knoll,
​everyone was frantic, except one little Troll.
Instead of serene, people were stressed;
December 24th is no time to rest!
With so much to do, and not a minute to waste,
stockings were hung by the chimney in haste.
Likewise, pine trees were cut, bought and sold,
then strewn with tinsel in every household.
On Christmas Eve, you have to be swift,
it's the final chance for that last-minute gift!
Eager to show they have style and taste,
from store to store the townspeople raced.
Once in a while, a greeting was spoken,
but said without caring, it was shallow and token.


While buying an overpriced tin of fruitcake,
one young women muttered  "Give me a break!"
She thought  "Christmas spirit is just an illusion;
this isn't goodwill; it's noise and confusion!"
Departing the store which was crowded and hot,
she was frustrated, tired and very distraught.
Outside, cars and buses raced to and fro,
and to her surprise, it had started to snow !
With her fruitcake in hand, and a few other goods,
she buttoned her coat and walked towards the woods....


At that very same moment, out taking a stroll,
was a peaceful, contented, and lighthearted Troll.
He thought to himself  "What a wondrous night !"
as he danced in the snow and laughed with delight.


As fate would have it, their paths soon crossed;
thank goodness they did, for the woman was lost !
Now hungry and cold, though still filled with ire,
she followed him home, to warm up by the fire.
As she sat by the hearth on a small wooden chair,
the fragrance of pine needles scented the air.
Amid holly, and ivy and mistletoe,
candles provided a luminous glow.


The blithe little Troll was a perfect host,
serving steaming-hot cider and cinnamon toast.
Though she felt more at ease within a short while;
all she could muster was a half-hearted smile.
The Troll knew the reason for her distress:
what used to be joyful was now meaningless.
Hoping to ease the young women's despair,
he winked at her as he pulled up his chair.


" I will try to explain, before you leave,
the real importance of Christmas Eve ! "
As smoke curled from his corn-cob pipe,
he chided her for believing the hype:
" You're taught to assume if you buy enough things,
you can then have the joy that the holiday brings.
Since you're pressured to constantly go, see and do,
peaceful moments are precious and few. "
" Christmas is seen as a day of good cheer,
but comfort and joy are with you all year.
By listening to what your heart has to say,
you'll unlock the magic in every day.


The Troll became silent, gazing out at the snow;
then he spoke with care, his voice soft and low:
" Watch how the forest animals live;
they have an invaluable lesson to give.
While human distractions cause worry and strife,
animals directly experience life! "


" Take a deep breath, let your mind become still,
allowing events to occur as they will.
Trust in life and all that it holds,
accepting each moment as it unfolds. "


He whispered to her, as he raised his brow:
" Find peace in the
timeless here and now. "


It was nearing midnight when the Troll and I parted
(he walked me to the path where I'd started).
As we stood in the moonlight and soft falling snow,
I saw that his face had a radiant glow.
While his words seemed wise and true to me,
his demeanor confirmed his serenity.
As he took my hand, his smile was wry;
he simply said " Peace " instead of good-bye.
I gave him the fruitcake I'd purchased that day,
then I smiled at him and walked away....


                                         ~Diane Kasperzak, (formerly Diane K. Scalia)



copyright by Diane  K. Scalia