A Spanglish Christmas Poem - A Family story

It’s not quite time yet but I’ve just come across this from Anne Hernandez of Brexpats in Spain and think it is brilliant! I hope you will think so too.

A Spanglish Christmas Poem

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the casa, (house)

Not a creature was stirring : ¡Caramba! ¿Qué pasa? (Good heavens. What’s wrong?)

Los niños (the children) were tucked away in their camas, (beds)

Some in long underwear, some in pijamas.

While hanging the stockings con mucho cuidado (very carefully)

In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado (bound/obliged) To bring all children, both buenos and malos, (good and bad)

A nice batch of dulces (sweet things) and other regalos. (presents)

Outside in the yard there arose such a grito (shout)

That I jumped to my feet like a fightened cabrito. (little goat) I ran to the window and looked out afuera, (outside)

And who in the world do you think that it era? (was)

Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero (hat)

Came dashing along like a crazy bombero. (fireman)

And pulling his sleigh instead of venados (reindeer)

Were eight little burros (donkeys) approaching volados. (flying)

I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre (man)

Was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre: (name) “Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuco, ay Beto,

Ay Chato, ay Chopo, Macuco, y Nieto!”

Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho (chest) He flew to the top of our very own techo. (roof)

With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea, (jelly)

He struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea, (chimney) Then huffing and puffing at last in our sala, (room)

With soot smeared all over his red suit de gala, (fancy suit)

He filled all the stockings with lovely regalos (presents)

For none of the ninos had been very malos. (bad/naughty) Then chuckling aloud, seeming very contento, (happy)

He turned like a flash and was gone like the viento. (wind) And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad, (true)

Merry Christmas to all, and Feliz Navidad! (Merry Christmas!)