Twas The Night Before Christmas
~ in the NICU ~

‘Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the NICU
Every alarm was wailing, and not just a few.
The blankets were draped over the isolettes with care
In hopes that the Littles would sleep better there.



The babies were nestled all snug in their Z-Flows
While oxygen from Cpaps tickled their nose.
Mama in her hospital gown and I in my Chief’s cap
Had just bunked down on second, for a short little nap

When down in the basement there arose such a clatter
We ran to NICU to see what was the matter.
Through the first door, we smashed in a flash.
Through the second one too, when Christine tripped the latch!



The glow of the “Quiet” sign lighting the row
Gave a luster of jaundice to the Littles below.
When what to my wondering eyes should behold
But RN’s and RT’s, lights and Jude’s ornaments in tow!

There’s Ashley! There’s Betty! There’s Jessica and Carol!
And Olivia! And Lisa! And Jennifer and Cheryl!
All over the cribs! All over the walls!
Decorate! Decorate! They decorated all!



They said not a word but went straight to their work,
They dressed up the unit, then turned with a smirk.
The glitter: how sparkly, the tinsel: how merry,
Lights lit up the babies, like bright little fairies.

They worked through the night
and then gathered their things,
Off to their own homes to see
what Santa would bring.

But I heard them exclaim as they hurried away
“Merry Christmas to all and have a Blessed Day!”