‘Twas the Night Before Easter

'Twas the night before Easter, and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The baskets were ready for eggs they would find
Hidden by the Easter Bunny so cute and so kind.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
With no thought of their bunny who hadn’t been fed.
With Ma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap
We knew he was hungry but we needed a nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But the Easter Bunny - with eyes full of tears.

He un-caged the rabbit, once lively and quick,
Last year's Easter Gift, now lonely and sick.
More rapid than eagles he called the bunn’s name
And with a few binkies, the bunny happily came.

"You poor little soul, so sad and alone,
With no one to love you in this so-called home.
How quickly they forgot about your joys and your needs.
Come with me, Little One, come with me please.

Run with me, Bunny, stretch your legs tall!
Let's find you a home where you’ll be loved by all."
The Easter Bunny left no chocolates that year
But he certainly made one thing quite clear.

The gift of a rabbit is not just for the season,
We had gotten the bunny for all the wrong reasons.
“A bunny would make a great gift!” was our thought
But there was one important thing we forgot.

A bunny should be family, and loved just as much,
Not locked in a cage and denied human touch.
They need more than a name, a pat and a meal,
They need companionship and love that is real."

And I heard him exclaim as he dashed out of sight
"You weren't given a gift! You were given a LIFE!"

 

Author Unknown