The Day the Firemen Came

T'was the day of Thanksgiving, when all through the block
Not a creature was stirring before nine o'clock.

The parades were all on with balloons galore,
In hopes that a lovely day would be in store.

The turkeys were nestled all snug in the oven
With visions of homemade treats full of mom's lovin.

With Al in her pjs, on the floor we both laid,
Settled down to watch the Macy's parade.

When in from the kitchen there arose such a clatter.
We sprang from the floor to see what was the matter.

Being thankful for Tivo to not miss the bash,
We paused Charlie Brown and flew like a flash.

The sweat on the forehead of mother herself
Was cause for slight panic as she looked on the shelf.

When, what to her wondering eyes should appear
But a huge cloud of smoke, and a quick shriek of fear.

With the black smoke a-blazing, so lively and quick.
I knew in a moment the air soon would be thick.

More rapid than eagles, her commands they came.
As she whistled and shouted and called us by name;

"Now Donald! Now Jody! Now Allison and Kristin!
On Dennis! On cell phone! On anyone with assistance!

To the top of the drive! To the neighbors house go!
Now run away! Run away! Don't be so slow!"

So up to the neighbors, the daughters they flew
With socks on their feet and messy hair too.

But to make matters worse, the neighbors weren't home
So it was back to the house to get help on the phone.

As we entered the house to tell of what we had found,
We saw Donald with the fire extinguisher, fiddling around.

He was having difficulty, though it wasn't that large
For the fire extinguisher gauge read "Recharge."

Mother's panic level was reaching new heights.
Donald looked like a deer just caught in headlights.

Mom's eyes, how they twinkled! Her pitch, oh how scary!
Her cheeks were like roses. Her bird, cooked – and very!

Dad flew to the basement to look for a switch
That would turn off the gas to prevent further glitch.

"Stop, Drop and Roll!" Al moved on the landing
As I laughed so hard I could barely keep standing.

It was then that the sirens were heard in the street
And we knew that some firemen soon we would meet.

They were rookies and friendly, right jolly old elves.
And we laughed when we saw them, in spite of ourselves.

A blare of the siren as they jumped from the truck
Soon assured me to know that we were in luck.

Mom was so happy, she said with a shove,
"I think I can help, would you like my Ov Glove?"

Yet they spoke not a word, but went straight to their work,
And pulled out the oven; then turned with a jerk,

On word from their chief who watched on as they went,
Down to the basement, they made their descent.

They turned off the gas and extinguished the flames
And away they all flew like a fleet of jet planes.

But I heard them exclaim as they drove out of sight,
"Be thankful you all, for you all are alright!"