This poem was a hit last year, so I thought it would be fun to use it again, with a few tweaks. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year!

‘Twas the night before deadline

And all through the house

Everyone is sleeping,

Not me, typing quiet as a mouse

I’ve been up since five

But the printers don’t care

They want the paper on time

Not late, don’t you dare.

My eyes droop as I scan

Submissions and Cripe’s griping

I jerk wide awake

As my fingers keep typing

Jim turns in county board

Dani covers council in Prescott

I have one hour left

Would I make it, or not?

As Andrew turns in sports

I see who won this week

I’m so pleased by his work

The Cards are on a streak!

The photos pour in,

The police reports too

What crazy thing

Did my old neighbor do?

Chelsey adds the obits

While Jack preps more ads

Naomi pulls her hair out

Waiting on stories, egads!

Jeff tallies sports stats

And John gives his view

Dave Beck tells more tales

Greg adds some of his too

Dave Wood keeps on working

While edits are made

I sort through letters

As my energy fades

Naomi works her magic

And arranges the news

On all of the pages

For the readers to peruse

As the proofs roll out

I sigh with relief

One more week done

On time even, good grief!

A miracle each week

How it all comes about

No matter the stress,

The paper always comes out.

Merry Christmas from the Pierce County Journal staff! Thank you for supporting local news!