With credit to Clement C. Moore and Lisë Chlebanowski:

‘Twas the night before Christmas, not a book to be found

Not a textbook, a paperback or tome, spiral bound.

The stockings were hung from the chimney with care

In hopes that a Librarian soon would be there.

The children were gathered, bored silly in their beds

For no books could be found, out loud to be read!

There were toys and games and puzzles and maps

But nothing to read – might as well take a nap…

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter

We sprang from our beds to see what was the matter.

Tore open the shutters – what were those? Flying rats?

No! A miniature bookcart led by eight tiny cats.

With a bright, cheerful driver, by the name of Marian,

I knew in a moment it must be the Librarian.

Faster than speed reading, the cats flew with perfect aim

As Marian whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

Now Gatsby! Now Holden! Now Lorax & Grinch!

On Rhett! On Scarlett! On Atticus & Finch!

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall

The cats echoed their names to one and to all

And then, from the roof, I heard tiny paws

The prancing and preening of the kitty cat claws

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney Marian came with a bound.

She was dressed in her work clothes, from her head to her foot

The bundle of books she carried was covered in soot,

She had come straight from the library where books are free

For library users, it’s a book potpourri!

With a wink of her eye and a twist of her head

She distributed books and left nothing unread.

She spoke not a word but went straight to her work

She filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk

And she sprang to her bookcart, to her team gave a whistle

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

I heard her exclaim as they drove out of sight –

“Season’s Readings to all, and to all a good night!”