1Lt Arturo Maxwell - 240112.24

[Lhandon_Nilsen]

What a joy it was to read this today! @Arturo Maxwell Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Quote

T'was the night before Christmas, many light years from earth.

Octavia E. Butler, lay still in her berth.

Stockings and sacks hung in quarters with care,

In the hope old St Nick soon would be there.

 

The crew were all nestled snug and tight in their bunks,

Dreaming of distant family, of friends - or of hunks.

Wrapped up in pyjamas, perhaps a soft cap,

Each of the crew settled, for a much-needed nap.

 

The lights on the station, that was docked below.

Gave Octavia's hull the lustre of snow.

If a wandering eye had spied it, no doubt,

Would have recognised, a Danube runabout.

 

Then down in the hangar, there arose such a clatter,

Nobody nearby, to see what was the matter.

Swift away from the mess, he shot like a flash,

Darted into a lift and away in a dash.

 

This terrible pilot, so hard on the stick,

Could not for a moment, ever have been St Nick.

More rapid than warp his footfalls they came,

And he darted past quarters, and whispered their names!

 

"Now Lia! Now, Toxin! Now, Herrick and Lahl!

To, Alex! To, Peri! To, Avander and Saa!

From the heights of command! To crew ranks oh so small!

Dash away! Dash away! Having left gifts for all!"

 

Such as dry leaves that before hurricane fly,

When met with an obstacle, they mount to the sky.

So on up the decks our gift bearer flew,

A sack full of presents, a Commanders pip too!

 

Dressed all in black, with a collar of green,

From all the exertion his brow bore a sheen.

The sack full of gifts that was flung on his back,

Made him look like a peddler, just opening his pack.

 

His eye-how it twinkled! His cheeks red and merry!

Once gifts were delivered, he quite fancied a sherry!

Each parcel he laid drew a soft peel of laughter,

Gifts that he hoped would be treasured hereafter.

 

He'd also left bunting of berry and thistle,

And completing his task, gave out a soft whistle.

Darting back to his home, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

 

~~*~~

 

1st Lieutenant Arturo Maxwell.

Marine Officer, 4/73 Marines.

USS Octavia E Butler: NCC-82850.

O239311AM0

 

Sent from Outlook for Android

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[Samuel Woolheater]

Creative and written with care.  This made my Christmas Eve.  This and my favorite line:

 

The crew were all nestled snug and tight in their bunks,

Dreaming of distant family, of friends - or of hunks.