A Holiday Poem from ARC

I settled in bed, clearing my head, looking forward to some much-needed rest.

But as I started nappin’, some strange things started to happen, with results that I would never have guessed.

I awoke in the warehouse, it was late XMAS eve.
That’s when I saw something I just could not believe.
There was a flurry of movement underneath a bookshelf
And as I crept closer I saw one little elf
He paid me no mind, not a glance nor a look
As he sat on the floor, intently reading a book
And there were eight tiny reindeer tied at the end of the rows
With another beside them who had a shiny red nose
And off to my right if my eyes weren’t deceiving
Was a sleigh full of toys on the dock in Receiving
As I snuck to my desk I saw in the rows by 2 Yellow
Dressed all in fur, it was that jolly old fellow
He gave me a nod, said “Merry XMAS to you Rick”
I waved and acknowledged “Right back atcha Saint Nick”
Then he said to his helper “That’s enough for tonight”
“We must be leaving, we must now take flight”
“Rick, please thank all the employees for the work that they’ve done.
They’ve performed it with style, dedication and fun.
Among all reading companies, you folks are the leaders.
You’ve turned all of my elves into fabulous readers.
But now we must leave, we must go right this minute”.
So they ran to their sleigh and they both piled in it.
As they flew off the dock and the sleigh turned around
A single sheet of paper fluttered down to the ground
Then they were gone in an instant with a nod of his head
And the next thing I knew I awoke in my bed.

Today as I drove through the fresh morning haze
I thought “If I speak of this dream folks will think that I’m crazy”
But as I came up the path in the new morning fog
I saw a sheet of paper on the ground printed “MY READING LOG”
When I looked at it closer I just laughed to myself
Because printed on top was the name “XMAS ELF”.
But the rest of the log was what caused me to pause
It was signed on each line “Reading Coach, Santa Claus”

Now I don’t really know if my dream became real
All I can relate is how it made me feel
It brought back strong memories of those times in my youth
When the magic of the season would outshine the truth
But whether in life we ever see elves
The important thing is how we believe in ourselves.
For we all perform magic, we do it each day
In the work that we do and the things that we say.
Just think when you sit in your times of reflection
Of the number of lives we’ve now pointed in a brand new direction.
So let’s make a vow on this day in December
To make 2012 a year to remember
We can all change the world, we can make it better
We can accomplish a lot if we all work together
Because a tree grows from a seed when it fulfills its ambition
But forests will flourish when they unite in their mission
So let’s give it our all and go to any lengths
To show that diversity is just one of our strengths
Now in closing, I again offer my holiday greeting
“HAPPY NEW YEAR to all and to all HAPPY READING”