'Twas the night before NaNo, when all through the house
Not a an idea was stirring, not even an ounce;
The notebooks were laid by the laptop with care
In hopes that some big ideas soon would be there;
How I tried to nestle all snug in my bed;
While visions of characters danced in my head
Tara in her jacket and I in my hat
Had just settled down for a pandemic nap
When out in the office there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed quick as I could patter.
Away to keyboard I flew like a flash
I opened the laptop and did a keysmash.
The moon in the window watches the show
As characters come to life and things start to flow
When what to my wondering eyes did appear
But eight lovely people and a dog like a reindeer?
With a little wheeled writer, sharp-witted and slick
They knew in a moment I must be have this licked.
So I whistled and shouted and called them by name:
Now Pearl, Dominique, Sarah and Weston!
Now Levi, now Mari, now Jesus now Fran!
From the top of my head to the top of the page
Dash away from the wings and onto the stage!
The dreams that before a wild story arrive
From imagination they bound to the sky
So right from my fingers to my page they flew
Eight awesome characters, and all their pets, too.
And then in the silence I heard all around
The voices of each one -- their own unique sound
As I readied myself to sit and transcribe
I could hardly prepare myself for what arrived
They were dressed for the summer
Each from head to foot
Wearing whatever felt best --
Whatever felt good.
Their eyes sparked with adventures
About to be lived
With no clue to me
What story they'd gift.
Their eyes how they shone
Their smiles, how glowing
Showing me just how much
They love where they're going
The trauma they carry not quietly in
The support they have going carries over the din
The truth in their hearts never caught behind teeth
Though sometimes a lie must protect what's beneath
They have the best love and all the best candy
Plus coffee hot cocoa and some pies from Sandy
Friends from Camp Bravery and friends from elsewhere
I laughed when I saw as they waited just there
A wink of their eyes and a tilt of their head
Quickly let me know there were stories to tend
I spoke not a word, but got right to work
And filled all the pages, and turned with a jerk
And laying my fingers atop all the keys
I let the words come as smooth as you please
I sprang into Greenie, gave The Avoiders a whistle
And away we all flew riding ideas like a missile
And may you read the words that we leave behind
This story's my gift to you, wrapped, done and signed.
