'Twas The Night Before NaNo...

 '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.