‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the ‘partment

Not a pencil was stirring, not even a parchment;

Laptops were logged on to Angel with care,

In hopes that our grades soon would be there;

My roommates were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of A-plusses danc’d in their heads,

With books in their backpacks, and I in my cap,

We had settled our brains for a long winter’s nap –

When out on Sixth Street there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bunk bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the balcony I flew to explore,

Pulled aside the blinds, and opened the door.

The streetlamps on the breast of the new fallen snow,

Gave a soft golden luster to objects below;

When, what visions the street below proffers,

A golden knight, and eight admissions officers,

A young new mascot, so lively and bright,

I knew in a moment it was Victor E. Knight.

More rapid than lakers the advisors they came,

And he cheered, and shouted, and call’d them by name:

“Now! Jennie, now! Lauren, now! Miles and Emily,

“On! Tom, on! Miles, on! Patrick and Julie;

“To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

“Now advise away! Advise away! Advise away all!”

As snow and wind down AJ’s Way fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, work together and try;

So up to Admissions the officers they flew,

With bags of applications – and Victor E. too:

And then in a twinkling, I heard next door

The reading of essays by each mentor.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Through the door the Knight came with a bound:

He was dress’d all in gold, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were not tarnish’d with ashes nor soot;

A bundle of toys was flung on his back,

And he look’d like a peddler just opening his pack:

His visor – how it shone! His helmet: how bright,

His arms were like roses, his breastplate like a light;

His gauntlets were pulled on tight like a bow,

And his boots when he walked seemed to shine with a glow.

He had broad shoulders, and a four-pack for a belly

It was clear that he used the Rec, and dieted without jelly:

He was tall and strong, a right jolly new Knight,

And I laugh’d for I knew that all would be right;

A pound of my fist and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And fill’d all the stockings; then turn’d with a jerk,

And shaking my hand, and doing no more

But giving a nod, he flew out the door.

He sprung to the street, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle:

But I heard him exclaim, ere he ran out of sight –

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Happy Holidays!

Matt 🙂