‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the shop,
Not a sound could be heard, not even a drop.
The shelves were all stocked with the greatest of care,
In hopes that book lovers soon would be there.
The novels were nestled, each one in its place,
Mysteries, classics, all dressed up with grace.
Cookbooks and thrillers, all cozy and bright,
Awaiting the readers who’d come for a bite.
The owner sat back, in his worn leather chair,
He’d dusted the spines and arranged with great flair.
A cup of hot cocoa steamed close at hand,
He dreamed of more customers, oh, that’d be grand.
When out on the sidewalk there arose such a clatter,
He sprang from his seat to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he flew like a flash,
Peeked out past the fairy lights strung in a sash.
The streetlamp shone down on new-fallen snow,
Illuminating the shoppers who walked to and fro.
When, what to his wondering eyes should appear,
But a group of book lovers bringing good cheer.
With shopping bags full and smiles so bright,
They came to the bookstore that magical night.
Eager for novels, for poems, and for lore,
For the treasures that lay inside the store.
He flung wide the door and welcomed them in,
As pages and stories their journey would begin.
They browsed and they chatted, laughed in delight,
Filling the store on that magical night.
Then a voice rang out, deep and so jolly,
“Do you have Dickens? Or perhaps something folly?”
He turned with a grin, and what did he see?
But a customer dressed as Saint Nick, jolly as can be.
He picked up a novel, then two and then three,
Stories of mystery, of love, and the sea.
With a wink and a nod, he said with delight,
“I’ll take these for now, and a cozy read for tonight!”
They gathered their books, each story a gift,
With tales to inspire and spirits to lift.
Then out the door they went, all in a row,
Books in hand, their faces aglow.
The owner watched on, a tear in his eye,
As the bookstore had been filled with cheer by and by.
And he heard them exclaim, as they walked out of sight,
“Happy reading to all, and to all a good night!”