We were so thrilled and honored to receive this poem written by a local customer of R&Q. It’s so wonderfully written and clever we had to share it! Happy holidays to you all, and a special thank you to Michelle Blake, the poet herself!

‘Twas the night after Thanksgiving when all through the house

just one creature was stirring it wasn’t the mouse.

Store flyers were strewn on the table with care

in hopes that my mamma soon would be there.

The family was nestled all snug in their beds

while visions of furnishings danced in their heads.

And mom on her laptop, and I in my book,

had just settled down for a last minute look.

She Googles home furnishings, R&Q fills her screen,

“It’s Ruby Rewards…oh, what could this mean?”

Away to her list Mom started to jot,

Rewards she was after “I shall get a lot!”

“A new stove for Grandma, she loves to bake cakes,

look at the rewards this purchase, it makes!”

“A lounge chair for hubby, he works hard all day,”

“Oh honey, I love it!”  She can hear him say!

“Those children need mattresses, they all need their sleep,

so out of their mouths I won’t hear a peep!”

“Aunt Sue needs some pictures, a house she did buy;

her home will look lovely and rewards will just fly!”

“I’ll carpet the hallway so our footies can walk,

and all of our guests will jealously talk!”

Rewards are just building, they’re calling her name,

a snowball of savings she won’t be the same…

“My list just got bigger!  This can’t be a dream!

I want these rewards to have and redeem!”

And then, in a twinkling, Mom heard on the roof,

the R&Q salesman, “Oh God! What a goof!”

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and sot.

A bundle of savings he had on his back.

He looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes–how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

and she laughed when she saw him in spite of herself.

He spoke not a word, took her flyers away,

And said to my mom, “Come and see me today!”

“I’ll give you those savings, come in to the store!

And if you’re not happy, I’ll just give you more!”

“Don’t forget Freebie Fridays, It’s fun… you will see!

Just ask all your neighbors, I’m sure they’ll agree.”

“Just go on your laptop, It’s easy, it’s quick.

Just like us on Facebook, Your name we can pick!”

“If you’re Friday’s winner, you come to my store

and pick a free gift.  Who else gives you more?”

Mom was so happy she started to cry,

thinking of all of the gifts she would buy.

He gave her his card as he went out the door.

“I’ll see you tomorrow when you come to the store!”

Was he really a salesman?  Or who could he be?

“Wait, look at the card…it was Rick Ruby!”

She heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,

“Ruby and Quiri to all, and to all a good night!”