'Twas the Night Before Christmas (For Writers)

A fun (re-)post for Christmas, with apologies to Clement C. Moore, written by yours truly.

Photo credit: Joe Buckingham on Flickr

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the night
Not a writer was writing, not word was in sight.
Blank pages were scattered on desks and on floors,
In hopes that the manuscripts would leap from their drawers.

The radio was humming a song of good cheer,
Yet I, tortured writer, wished a muse would appear.
And I with my coffee and family asleep
Did stare at the page trying hard not to weep.

When out in the snow there came such a noise,
I fell from my chair, disregarding all poise.
I ran to the door, my heart in my throat,
And did throw it open, forgetting my coat.

And Christmas lights glowing on glittering snow
Seemed just for a moment to put on a show.
When to my astonishment—I’ll admit I did shout,
Came a sleigh from the sky led by reindeers on route.

A driver with eyes spilling over with laughter,
His face I did know I’d remember thereafter.
With a beard so white and his cheeks set aglow,
He waved and he smiled, “It’s me, don’t you know!”

I gaped for a moment and stuttered and said,
“This cannot be real—it’s all in my head!”
But Santa, he snickered and said with delight,
“I hear, my dear child, that you love to write.”

“It’s true,” I said, looking down at my feet,
“But a writer I’m not—I’ve admitted defeat.”
And Santa, he frowned—looked me straight in the eye,
And he said, “You’re a writer, don’t let your dream die.”

So I told him my troubles, how the words wouldn’t come,
And he said, “It’s a gift—it won’t always be fun.
It won’t always be easy or simple or kind,
But for writing, my girl, is what you were designed.”

And he lifted my chin with his finger and said,
“These troubles you’re having—they’re all in your head!
So go back inside and rest for the night,
But know that tomorrow, you’ll write at first light!”

He climbed back on his sleigh and took off in the air,
The reindeers—they trampled the stars with their flair.
So inside I went and turned off the TV,
And sat by the fire with a hot cup of tea.

Asleep, there I fell, and I dreamt of the page
And when I awoke—my mind a golden age!
I rushed to my computer and typed until dawn,
His words, I soon realized—they were right all along!

In hindsight I suppose, I shouldn’t have been surprised,
For that day it was Christmas, true and undisguised.
And that man that I saw, whether he was Santa or not,
He brought to my mind things that I had forgot.

A writer’s a writer every day of the week,
On good days, on bad days, on nights that seem bleak.
But I do what I can and what I can is to write,
As Santa reminded me to my delight.

So next time your writing refuses to flow,
Remember what Santa said to me and know,
You’re a writer tonight and always will be,

For writing is truly what makes you feel free.


Merry Christmas everyone! 

21 comments:

J. A. Bennett said...

That was so cute! Merry Christmas!

Ava Jae said...

Thanks! It was fun to write. ^_^ Hope your holidays are wonderful!

Angie Richmond said...

That was wonderful! Merry Christmas Ava! I hope Santa is very good to you this year :)

Ava Jae said...

Thank you, Angie! Have a wonderful Christmas!

Joe Iriarte said...

Very clever! And since I'm up Christmas Eve trying desperately to get my crit group piece written before tomorrow morning's deadline, very topical for me! Hopefully Santa will stop by, bringing encouragement or maybe just caffeine!

Fred Brooke said...

Loved this, Ava - thank you for sharing it and Merry Christmas!

Ava Jae said...

Hope you made good progress on your crit piece. Glad you enjoyed the post and I hope your Christmas is wonderful!

Ava Jae said...

You're very welcome--I'm so glad you enjoyed it. ^_^ Merry Christmas!

Susan Sipal said...

I love this Ava. Thanks so much for sharing! :-)

Ava Jae said...

Of course! :)

Grace Robinson said...

Just stumbled across this post. Remind me to tweet this and share it on FB come December. This is awesome. :-)

Ava Jae said...

Thank you, Grace! I'll probably be reposting it for the holidays. ^_^

Grace Robinson said...

Oh good! :)

Andi-Roo said...

This has got to be my favorite re-telling of the original poem EVER! Thank you for sharing this --- am going to print & frame so I can pull it out every year for inspiration! :)

Ava Jae said...

Thanks, Andi! ^_^ It was fun to write and I'm very happy to hear you like it so much. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Sydney Aaliyah said...

Hi Ava, I love this. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas.

Pauline said...

How you find time to do all you do is beyond me Vikki. All good wishes for your writing next year!

Ava Jae said...

Thanks, Sydney! A very Merry Christmas to you as well!

Ava Jae said...

I'm not sure who Vikki is, but thanks anyway! :)

laura pauling said...

Love it!

Ava Jae said...

Thanks, Laura! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! ^_^

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...