THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

It’s the day before Christmas and all through my house

Not a keyboard is clicking, at rest is my mouse.

The manuscript’s tucked in a file coloured tan

Awaiting new word counts and edits come Jan.

I’ve turned my attention to seasonal  matters

The kitchen’s a mess – look, I’ve splattered the batter!

Cookies and squares now should claim me – instead

I find visions of road building dance in my head.

I need to wrap presents, make plans with my friends

But I think of a detail to which I attend:

I remember that one of the surveyors stayed

In Muskoka on site on one cold Christmas day.

Was it Wadsworth? Or Bridgland? I cannot recall.

But think of this lonely work in winter’s pall!

The story’s worth telling – I’ll just make a note

Along with the dozen or more that I wrote

So that when I return to the project I’ll find

All the details are right there still fresh in my mind.

So Gibson, and Rankin and Dennis and Spry

Now dash away, dash away, please let me try

To turn my attention to good times and fun.

 I’m postponing writing ‘til the holidays are done.

To all of my readers, my best and good cheer

Merry Christmas to all, see you in the new year!