‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the state,
Not a creature was stirring, there was nothing to debate.
The rights-of-way had been cleared with care,
Just in case a big ice storm like 2015 should appear.
The co-op members were snug in their beds,
While visions of capital credit refund checks danced in their heads.
When out of the sky there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon brightly shining on the new fallen snow,
Gave the luster of midday to the objects below.
I reached for the light switch and gave it a turn,
The power was out, I quickly did learn.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But four bucket trucks, men and their gear.
A whole crew of linemen, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment their foreman was St. Willie Nick.
More rapid than eagles his linemen they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
“Now Bailey! Now Alfred! Now Allegra and Tyler!
Now Chase! Now Kyle! Now Wesley and Wade!”
To the top of the pole, to the break in the line,
Now climb away, splice away, fix it in time!
As dry leaves that before the wild storm fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, they raise to the sky.
So up to the pole-top the linemen they flew,
With the truck full of wire, and St. Willie Nick, too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the lines,
The banging and work and the trimming of pines.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Up the pole St. Willie Nick went with a bound.
He was dressed in work gear from his head to his toes,
His hard work was evident by the dirt on his clothes.
A bundle of equipment was hooked to his belt.
And the ice on the power lines started to melt.
His eyes—how they twinkled—his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His mouth was a thin line, drawn with determination,
He was certain that he could fix the situation.
A line splice and fuse link he held tight in his hands,
Knowing he would again light up the land.
He had a bright smile and a great attitude,
The members would soon be filled with gratitude.
With good training and preparation, he was confident and strong,
The power to homes would be restored before long.
With a wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
He soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Fixed the situation, then turned with a jerk.
Then laying a finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, his work came to a close.
He brought down the bucket, to his crew gave a shout,
And away they all drove to the next open cut-out.
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all … you now have light!”
