THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
By
Leigh Holman
(with apologies to Clement C. Moore)
It was the night before Christmas
And all throughout the front porch
No one was stirring,
‘Cept the Admiral with an electric torch.
The lights were a twinkling,
But the Control Room was bare,
There was no one present
Not even the Captain’s curly hair.
That chairs were in place
And the plotting table had maps.
The Admiral couldn’t find the crew
No one was taking naps.
The Admiral was in kahki
And a puzzled look on his face,
He had checked the sub over
Why weren’t the men in place?
He checked the missile room
And where the men ate their mess
How could they disappear
One the day of the Test?
The swirls of the water
On the view port up stern
Gave a luster of midday
But the Admiral didn’t give a 'durn.
But what to his ears should appear
But laughter and voices
From the Wardroom below
To follow the sound, left little choices.
More rapid than eagles
Through the sub he did go
To gather together his crew
From the corridors below.
Lee to the Con,
And Chip to the table!
They had better get to the job
While they were still able.
Ski to the sonar
And Sharkey to the deck
And where was Riley?
They will certain catch heck!
On, Lads, come on guys
Get where you must be
The Admiral’s the boss
You don’t work the sub for free!
Then in a minute or second
He heard a slight sound,
A small thud and twinkle
A Christmas tree ball he’d found.
Then he remembered
As he was turning around
What day it was
And went through the hatchway
with a bound.
They were dressed as normal
From their head to their feet
With stocking and Santa hats
And lots of goodies to eat
With gestures and waving
They invited him in
Among the trees and tinsel
The music and din.
They wished each other luck
To another good year
With toasting and cake
And Christmas carols to hear
And as he entered the room
He picked up a goblet of wine
And raised the glass to his friends
And wished them a fine time.
Now the sub is all quiet
And everyone’s gone to bed
"Happy Christmas to all,
and to all a good night."
Echoes in his head.