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To the Editor of La Prensa,

I am writing to ask you to please publish this poem in La Prensa. This poem has been in my family for many generations. In memory of my father, I would like to have this poem published.

It first appeared in La Prensa and La Opinion of Los Angeles in 1937.

Tis the night before Christmas

And all through the casa

Not a creature is stirring

¡Caramba! ¿Que Pasa?

The stockings are hanging con mucho cuidado

In hopes that San Nicholas will feel obligado

To leave a few cosas aquí y allí

for chico y chica (y something for me!)

Los Niños are snuggled all safe in their camas

(some in vestidos and some in pajamas)

Their little cabezas all full of good things,

They all esperando que Santa will bring.

But Santa esta at the corner saloon

muy borracho since mid–afternoon

Mamá is sitting beside la ventana

Shining her rolling pin para mañana

When Santa returns to his home, zigzaqueando

lit up like the star spangled banner cantando

And mamá will send him to bed con a right

Merry Christmas a todos y a todos good night.

La Familia Campos

Toledo, Ohio

Juan Campos 1990