The Deadline Before Christmas

By Renee Scattergood

 

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when on my laptop

Was an unfinished story, no better than slop;

 

I let out a groan, threw my hands in the air,

Then stood, and I muttered as I paced ‘round my chair;

 

The deadline was looming, oh that I did dread,

But worse, was the fact that I had been misled;

 

A call interrupted, I was needed asap;

I went only to find that it had been a trap;

 

My friends said, “It’s Christmas, so come celebrate;”

Didn’t they see I was already late?

 

I tried to escape, but was met with backlash,

So, I finally gave in, and I joined in the bash.

 

Next thing I knew, the bell had chimed midnight;

I had less than eight hours to sit down and write;

 

My salvation came in the oddest of ways;

When St. Nick had appeared, and said, “Why so malaise?”

 

I explained that I had a short story due,

And what I had written so far just plain blew.

 

He chuckled and said, “I’m going to venture,

That what you need is a grand ol’ adventure.”

 

St. Nick took my hand as we strode to his sleigh;

Then he said, “Let us board, no time for delay.”

 

I climbed into the seat and strapped on the harness,

And I thought, how’s it possible to see in this darkness?

 

St. Nick took the reins and gave them a shake,

Then cried out so loudly, thought the neighbors would wake;

 

“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!

 

The sleigh lurched forward, I was pressed to my seat;

I knew right then I was in for a treat.

 

We raced through the sky to spread Christmas cheer;

And I thought that space was the final frontier!

 

I watched as he handed toys out to good kids;

And we sipped our hot chocolates from mugs with tight lids.

 

He did something then that I hadn’t expected;

He gave, to the poor, all the food he collected;

 

Our exciting adventure was far from over,

We took off again as he shared his turnover.

 

I moaned as my mouth filled with luscious sweet berries,

Though I had wished it had been black cherries.

 

Just then a loud roar interrupted our snack,

A dragon descended, its scales were jet black;

 

I cringed in my seat, the beast gave me a fright,

But Nick, he just chuckled and said, “He won’t bite.

 

His name is Edmund; He is a good friend.”

I said, “Sorry great dragon, I didn’t mean to offend.”

 

The dragon snorted and let out a great chuff,

Then he flew off, disappeared in a puff;

 

“He was amazing,” I said to St. Nick;

He smiled and nodded, giving the rein a small flick;

 

All too soon the night had come to an end,

But I was filled with joy to have made a new friend;

 

Not only that, creative juices were flowing,

I had to write to keep my head from exploding;

 

In no time at all, I had finished my story;

It turned out to be a grand allegory.

 

If you are stuck and don’t know what to write,

Have a Christmas adventure, and you’ll be alright!