’Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
The Quills were so busy, they didn’t notice the mouse.

Margo was baking and wrapping with care, 
In hopes that her family would enjoy her fine fare.
Kristan was up to her elbows in dough,
Dreading the wrapping (she can’t tie a bow).

Emily and Robyn sipped their hot eggnog
And talked about what they’d put in their next blog
While sleepy Nancy, in her PJs, sat with a cat in her lap,
Christmas card writing preempted her nap.

Shana finished her page proofs right quick!
She knew in a moment she might meet St. Nick.
More rapid than wifi her fingers they flew,
Then she tweeted, and facebooked, and wrapped presents too!

Then the Quills got all nestled snug at their desks
In warm, cozy offices that were quite picturesque.
They looked over their day’s work in a quick recap
As Kate settled her kitties for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
That Cindy’s Blue Heeler shot outside to see what was the matter.
Away to the windows the Quills flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.

But Terri was searching for the presents she’d hid
Just as she did each year for each kid.
Then enjoying the lights on the tree a’twinkling
She wondered if anyone even had an inkling.

She didn’t see the little old driver so lively and quick
The man they all knew must be St. Nick!
Right to the door Catherine went at a run,
With the ribbon she’d been using in present-wrapping fun. 

The wind was howling like a cold winter demon
And Jan was bundled up, lost in copy edit readin’
Just when she got to the best part of all
Down the chimney St. Nick came with a fall. 

A bundle of gifts he had flung on his back,
And Baby Galen looked hopefully up at his pack.
His eyes, how they twinkled – His laugh, how he shook,
He could have been the hero of anyone’s book.

But Robyn had her own hero  – the professor she had wed,
A sweet, funny guy with plenty of brains in his head.
They set out their cookies for St. Nick on a plate
And watched as he grabbed one and returned to the grate. 

And then it was quiet, and the Quills felt content
Knowing they’d witnessed a special event, as special as
Katherine standing under the mistletoe
Awaiting a kiss from her favorite beau.

The Quills they all rushed from their crannies and nooks
To find stockings filled with fresh muses … and books!
Emily’s little ones were so surprised and thrilled
That their Christmas wishes had all been fulfilled.

Christmas morning dawned crisp and clear
All the Quill lawns marked with prints from reindeer.
They reached out to their readers with holiday cheer
And sent out their good wishes – all true and sincere!