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A Christmas cadence

By Jim Downey jdowney@heraldstandard.Com 4 min read
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Twas Christmas morn, and all through the land

Shrieks of joy and laughter echoed, as children said, “Isn’t this grand?”;

The presents were arranged around the tree with great care,

waiting for anxious youngsters to go on a tear; 

Beleaguered, bleary-eyed moms and dads, with coffee cups filled to the brim,

Grabbed a seat and relaxed, cameras at the ready, as the unwrapping was about to begin; 

The dog knew better, so did the cat,

as the family pets hid away to their soft bedding mat;

While kids, eyes awonder, take to unwrapping their gifts,

Athletes, big kids at heart, also take to the swift;

Tiger Woods proclaimed heĢƵ back, so what could be under his tree?

The gift is small, he said, wonder what it could be?

He delicately takes off the paper, doing so with ease,

Then he sees a book title, by Arnold Palmer, “A Life Well Played: My Stories,”

The attached card said, “Take this to heart,”

“The knowledge ‘The King’ did impart;”

Meanwhile, Big Ben sees a gift with his name perched on spent wrapping paper,

He wonders aloud, “I hope itĢƵ not another ice scraper;”

Big Ben chuckles at his “funny” as he tears at the wrapping,

As his family takes notice and takes to clapping;

Wire-rimmed glasses and a silk cloth appear,

His children say, “ItĢƵ Harry PotterĢƵ invisibility cloak so you can disappear!”

They exclaimed, “Put it on in the huddle before each play,

“And the Raven defense won’t see you, you’ll stay out their way!”

Down south, Andrew McCutchen wonders what he received, 

As he delicately picks up the box and gives it a squeeze,

The gift was simple and right to the matter,

A team and pitching staff worthy of such a grand batter.

As it would be, Christmas was underway at the house of Gerrit Cole,

The fire-balling pitcher was eating cereal, so he set down his bowl,

He picked up the closest gift, wrapped in Pirate Black and Gold,

Gerrit became 10 again as grasped the paper with a good hold;

WhatĢƵ this, he said with a query,

The attached card said, “Be not weary,”

“Keep throwing those strikes, and don’t lose your edge,

“And, this to you, I will pledge,

“The wins will come as the fans cheer louder,

“And you’re fiery-nature will make you ever so prouder.”

Jaromir Jagr is on his porch, lounging in the sun,

Taking a holiday break from NHL games and his fun;

He has a box in hand, carefully marked “Handle with care,”

Curious, Jaromir daintily pulled away the paper as he said a prayer;

A small bottle, what could this be?

He spun the glass so the label he could see,

“Ponce de LeonĢƵ Fountain of Youth,” he read to himself,

“Oh, that Santa, what a grand elf!”

Instructions read, “Take one teaspoon a day and you’ll be so frisky,

“You will keep playing hockey until you reach 50!”

Back at home near the Three Rivers,

Anxious Steeler fans are all a-quiver,

Some received cards, others an envelope,

Saying with a laugh, “Well, at least itĢƵ not a cantaloupe!”

Shouts of glee fill the room when the contents are espied,

Steeler tickets, is it true?, I’m going to die!

For those lucky fans and all the others,

Just one simple wish for the dads and moms and sisters and brothers,

At Heinz Field, the Steelers’ home and haven,

Where they’ll meet the dreaded Ravens,

To show the team from Baltimore an un-Christmaslike time,

And bring home a win, so the AFC North title bells will chime,

For a victory means another title and playoff appearance,

And a long ride home for the Ravens, good riddance!

Whatever this wonderful (snow-free day) may hold for you and your families and friends, on behalf of the ĢƵ sports department staff, I’d like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and great holiday season. GO STEELERS!!!!

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