Christmas Eve

‘Twas the night before Christmas, Tom jumped in his car
Drove off to the pub, and entered the bar.
Ordered a beer from a member of staff
Told him a joke which made the guy laugh

Looking around as he sipped at his drink
Tom spied young Michelle and gave her a wink
She flashed him a smile with teeth gleaming white
Play the right cards, and he’s in there tonight.

As the pub slowly filled with folk of good cheer
Tom tipped up his glass and finished his beer
Ordered a short to drink while he waits,
for the timely arrival of his best drinking mates.

A mile down the road in a house filled with glee
Presents were wrapped and put under the tree
Christmassy lights gave out a warm glow
Lighting a Santa and reindeer tableau

Jez and Marie were filled with such joy
They’d scrimped and they’d scraped for their little boy
To get him the toys he’d put down on his list
All that he’d asked for, not one had they missed

He was over at Nan’s house, their little boy Joe
Where Pop dressed as Santa and roared "ho-ho-ho"
To an eight year old boy this was such a delight
And he laughed with excitement on Christmas eve night

Back at the pub the party was swinging
Karaoke singers were tunelessly singing
Tom’s mates had arrived all ready for fun
And the flow of the liquor had swiftly begun

"It’s nine oh clock", Pop says to little boy Joe
"Put on your coat and it’s back home we go"
Climb in the car, feeling jolly and bright
Selecting first gear then into the night

Back in the pub, with Michelle by his side
Tom felt quite merry and giggly inside
"Come now my sweet, let’s off to a club"
And so hand in hand they strolled from the pub

Steering his car through the dark country lanes
Pop was belting out Christmas refrains
‘Rudolph’ and ‘sleigh bells’ and songs about snow
And singing along was his grandson Joe

Michelle felt quite nervy as Tom drove his car
She was beginning to wish she was still in the bar
Was he driving too fast should she intercede
Tell him "slow down"; she didn’t like speed

Tom didn’t notice the bend in the road
The booze had kicked in, his reactions had slowed
The last thing he saw were two lights up ahead
And when he came round, poor Michelle was dead

He clutched at his chest and felt his heart thud
As he looked at her face which was covered in blood
Tears streamed from his eyes as Tom climbed from the shell
Out through the door and straight into hell

The car he had hit was burning so bright
Sparks just like fireflies danced in the night
Gaily wrapped parcels were strewn all around
near the form of a child so still on the ground

Tom scrambled across to little Joe’s side
It took just one look to know that he’d died
Joe’s body all broken, the poor little one
Tom cried out in anguish, "Lord, what have I done!"

The distinct sound of banging then came to his ear
Turning, Tom looked with eyes widening with fear
He saw an old man in the fierce burning wreck
Flames licking over his face and his neck

Tom watched in horror holding his breath
Watching the old man burning to death
With accusing eyes, the man stared at Tom
And then the car went up just like a bomb

His body was hit by a fierce searing heat
As the force of the blast knocked Tom off his feet
Morpheus caught him and conjured his spell
And into a deep well of darkness he fell

The next thing he knew he woke up in his bed
Covered in sweat from his feet to his head
When all of a sudden, he let out a scream
Relief flooded through him ‘twas naught but a dream

‘Twas the night before Christmas, Tom walked past his car
Left his car keys at home, caught a bus to the bar
Ordered a beer from a member of staff
Told him a joke which made the guy laugh

Tom had a dream but the lesson was clear
Never mix driving with spirits or beer
Any night – not just Christmas - please stop and think
If you’re going to be driving for God’s sake don’t drink!

Every year, and not just around Christmas time, it seems innocent lives are cut short and families devastated by morons who actually believe they can control a car under the influence of drink when every one else knows they can't!

There's absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the odd tipple. But please just think before you drink and drive! You might just save someone's life!