Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the flat,
Not a creature was stirring, except for Rayn, the cat.
The stockings were hung by the fake chimney with care,
In hopes that Instagram likes soon would be there.
Mario, in hoosecoat, alone on the laminate,
Had just set up a tree on a very early date.
It stood at an angle, half-lopsided, a mess,
Its hotdog ribbons sagging in utter distress.
The battery lights flickered dimly, the tinsel was thin,
And Mario thought, "This’ll surely make me win."
He snapped a few photos, adjusting his stance,
Trying hard to look like he had any chance.
In the next room, Derek, so blissfully dumb,
Was busy watching football, smoking himself numb.
He knew nothing of the tree's sad, desperate plight;
Too wrapped up in his own pointless, smoke-filled night.
Rayn, the cat, sat perched with a sneer,
Watching Mario’s antics, all full of sheer fear.
The tree, the photos, the captions so fake,
Mario just wanted the likes for his sake.
The tree was too early, its spirit all wrong,
But Mario wasn’t concerned, he had to look strong.
He posted and waited, expecting a storm,
But the likes came in slowly, none that would swarm.
“39 days to go,” Mario muttered, quite sad,
“The tree’s barely standing, and Derek’s breath’s bad."
But there, at the end of his bitter distress,
He clicked “refresh” again, awaiting the press.
For nothing said Christmas like likes and a post,
And Mario’s heart swelled, though it hurt like a ghost.
So he smiled, albeit with eyes full of regret,
Wishing he'd picked a better tree, you bet.
And Derek, still clueless, had no idea,
That Mario's Christmas was about more than cheer.
It was about the moment, the photo, the scene,
A Christmas perfect for his social media dream.