'Twas

'Twas three weeks before Christmas, when all through the halls,

Two roommates were stirring new paint for the walls.

The windows and trimmings were taped off with care

In hopes that the paint wouldn’t splash everywhere.

Four  kitties were nestled all snug in each bed

Inside the garage where they curled up instead.

And Nikki , and Roomie, as well as her Pop

Continued to paint for a week, near non-stop.

When in the garage there arose such a clatter,
Cats sprang from their beds to see what was the matter.
Away to the ladder George flew like a flash

Tore right up the steps and peered out the sash.

When what to his wondering eyes should appear?

Just a sight of the outdoors and all he holds dear!

And then in a twinkling, he heard them advance!

It wasn't just reindeer that knew how to prance.

Now Emma! Now Wimsey! Now Georgie and Sam!

It’s bath time for felines, so don’t try to scram.

Then Roomie and Nikki as quick as a wink,

Corralling four fur balls, went straight to the sink.

'Twas Emma`s turn first and she wasn't too keen

But soaped up and rinsed off, she looked very clean.

Samantha was yowling as she likes to do

But soon she was finished and very clean, too.

Now George wasn't happy, but took it in stride

Yet, wrapped in a towel he tried hard to hide...

Then, Wimsey, Lord Peter  in fact, is so couth

That any adventure appeals to this sleuth.

When all had escaped from each towelling sheet,

They licked their own fur, from their heads to their feet -

A bundle of felines all primping and preening

Determined to fluff up and finish with cleaning.

Their eyes, how they twinkled! Their whiskers how merry!

Their ears, pink like roses! Each nose like a cherry!

Each droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow

And clean tufts of fur were as white as the snow.

And Nikki and Roomie? Right jolly young elves

Who laughed when they saw them, in spite of themselves.

They spoke not a word.  They had finished their work.

The walls were all painted. The cats weren't berserk.

They sprang to the kitchen, and gave out a whistle,
More towels to wash than the points of a thistle!
But I heard them exclaim, "Oh, we`re in quite a quandary.
Merry Christmas to all, we`re off to do laundry!"