The Christmas Eve Ghost

A Ghost caught me last December

A Christmas eve I'll always remember 

When I expected Santa Claus

An apparition came in force.

He swirled around in the hall

As the clock chimed 11 upon my wall.

It snarled and scared me out my wits

When he caught me opening Christmas gifts.

The story goes as it unfurls,

A ghostly figure roams our world,

It looks around on Christmas eve,

For those who promise, then deceive.

He only picks one house each year, 

Last Christmas Eve I paid dear,

I got caught and I was shamed,

But I only have myself to blame.

My shouts of fright woke the house,

Down the stairs came my tearful spouse,

With paper strewn all round the place, 

I stood there with a bright red face.

I put up my hands , yes I was caught,

Opening pressies on the 24th,

I've sworn since then come what may,

My presents stay wrapped till Christmas Day.

The ghost then fled he'd done his work,

He left the scene, with a smarmy smirk,

Since my scare from the Christmas Presence,

Its the 25th only, I open my presents.