A Mother's Night Before Christmas

I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I did. It really makes you open your eyes. Have a Merry Christmas.

It was the night before Christmas, when all through the abode
Only one creature was stirring ... she was cleaning the commode;
The children were sleeping, all snug in their beds,
While visions of Nintendo flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
With a half-constructed bicycle on his knee;
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh, "Now what's the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man —
He was covered with ashes, which fell with a shrug;
"Oh great!!" muttered the mom, "Now I must clean the rug."

"Ho-Ho-Ho!!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake,
Your gift was especially difficult to make!"
"Thanks" said she, "all I want is time alone,"
"Exactly!!" he chuckled, "I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she asked, "What good is that?
Run along, Santa.
I've no time for chit-chat;"
The clone was the mother's exact twin —
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch the 'Young & Restless'"
"Fantastic!!" the mom cheered.

"That's my dream come true!
I'll shop and I'll read and sleep all night through!"

From the room above, her youngest did fret,
"Mommy?!? I'm scared, and I think that I'm wet!"
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart"
"Hey," the mom laughed, "that clone knows her part."

The clone changed the small one, and hummed a soft tune,
As she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon;
"You're the best mommy ever ... I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "I love you, too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal!
That's MY child's love that she's trying to steal"
Grinning wisely Old Santa said, "To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother is what's needed here."

The mom kissed her child, and tucked her into bed,
"Thank you, Santa, for clearing my head —
I sometimes forget it won't be very long,
When they'll be too old for my cradle-song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime,
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side, Santa bid a good night,
"Merry Christmas, Mom ... You'll be all right."