'Twas the Blog Post Before Christmas

'Twas the blog post before Christmas, and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, just one cordless mouse,

The train books were stacked on the night table with care,

In hopes I would find them when I needed them, there,

Timetables and magazines were stacked by the bed,

While visions of new posts danced in my head.

My wife sighed loudly, hit her forehead with a slap,

"I'm tired of hearing about all your train crap!"

When out on the Kingston Sub arose such a clatter,

I figured a CN freight might be a-splatter,

Away to the scanner I flew like a flash,

Turned up the volume, to hear RTC teeth gnash,

The crack of slack action over new-fallen snow,

Gave the sound of derailment, but thank goodness, no,

Up the grade towards Belleville, I heard the train disappear,

I resumed talking 'blog' (blah-blah-blah, to my dear)

More creative and inspired, my thoughts again came,

As I remembered my blog partners, and called them by name:

Now Steven, now Adam, Chris, Dave, Scott and John,

Second Chris, third Chris, Matt, Robert and Jas-on,

You share such neat stuff, each blog a different creature,

A definite highlight for my sidebar to feature,

As thoughts in one ear, and out the other ear fly,

I thought of more posts as I scanned the night sky,

On CN! on CP! VIA yellow and blue!

Rolling stock, railfan adventures, and train-riding too,

My imagination throttled up, new ideas reached the roof,

My wife simply said, "Turn the light off, you goof!"

I had one last thought, which I want you to know:

From west coast to east coast, and also my bro',

You speak not a word, but go straight to your work,
Filling readers with thoughts, as they comment or lurk,
You've left us with gifts, they're true Trackside Treasure,

    You photograph and write, with aplomb beyond measure,

(As I heard a train coming, 'twas a P42 whistle
 I knew it was time to end this epistle)

A toast to your efforts, with coffee, pop or beer,

Thanks for making 2011 a congenial year!

To all of you I say, as I call it a night,

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good write!

--Home for Christmas--
Meeting ONR No 121  Eng 1803 at South River, Ontario in 1994 (above)