Twas the Night Before Christmas -- Summit Station

Twas the Night Before Christmas  [Summit Station]

Twas the night before Christmas when all through Greenhouse

Not a creature was stirring, not even the housemouse.

The pots and pans were hung in the kitchen with great care

In hopes that Kathy’s delicious cooking, soon would be there.

The ops crew was nestled all snug in their beds

While re-runs of Bollywood danced all in their heads

And Kaija in her neck gaiter and Grey in his cap

Had just dozed off like a carpenter’s mid-lunch nap.

When out on TAWO, there arose such a clatter

I sprang from my bunk to see what was the matter

Away to the borehole I skated so quick

The high elevation making me feel undeniably sick

A sun-dog on the breast of rippled sastrugi

Nearly blocked in my goggles by a large, frozen boogie.

When, what to my frosty eyes should appear

But an ozone sonde attached to a crate full of beer.

A brief note written in a font so large and so thick,

I knew in an instant, it was signed by St. Nick

The inscribed directions were clear and succinct

The message was simple, everyone have a drink!

Now Elissa, Now Nathan

Now Storm and Bo

On Candy! On David

On, Hannah and Thano

Out on the deck!

Up on the roof!

Now drink up, drink up

But don’t be a goof.

As northwinds that before arctic storms do blow

Cause equipment operators to curse and kick snow.

So I drew in my head, making not but a sound

I glimpsed [St.] Martin ski-dooing around

Getting dressed in ECW was surely a toil,

And his clothes were all tarnished in glycol and oil;

A bundle of bottles he had swaddled in a rag,

And he fought the wind just trying to light his fag

His eyes—how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

His nose was frostbitten, his cheeks not too hairy!

His droll little mouth was drawn up in a smile,

The frost on his hat proving he’d been here awhile.

An Allen wrench he held tight in his hand,

Sunglasses on his nose against the harsh light of this land;

He had a broad face with eyes gleaming so bright,

I knew we’d be friends, if just for that night.

He was witty and quick, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

Some good advice there, a wild story here,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to fear;

He said a warm hello, then went straight to his work,

And filled up the coffee, then turned with a jerk.

And keying his mic with the touch of his hand,

He gave a nod and out to tent city he ran;

He sprang up the tower and jumped to the Tucker

Then out to ICESAT, he drove with a pucker

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

“Today was a 10, and you know I’m damn right!”

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[Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”]