T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the maintenance facility,
Not a creature was stirring, and there was no technician-manager hostility.
The stockings were hung in the lunchroom with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The technicians were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of new technology and government regulations danced in their heads.
When out in front of the shop there arose such a clatter,
The 24/7 shop manager sprang from his desk to see what was the matter.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.
When what to the manager's eyes did appear on the street below,
But a shiny new tractor trailer with its chrome and lights all aglow.
He spotted a big burly trucker, so lively and quick,
The shop manager wondered if his technicians were pulling yet another trick.
The driver was well-groomed and dapperly dressed,
His red uniform bright and smartly pressed.
A large bundle of something he had flung on his back,
He entered the maintenance shop and in short time, came right back.
The trucker did a vehicle safety check, looking his rig over all around,
And the shop manager could see the trucker's face now wore a frown.
“What's the matter driver?,” the shop manager called from above,
The trucker turned and looked up after giving the bundle a shove.
“So many technicians have come to my assistance throughout the year,
I've way too little time to thank and reward each of them personally,” he said as he shifted into gear year.”
The trucker gave the air horn a long, hard blast,
Giving the shop manager a salute, he stepped on the gas.
As the rig pulled away, the trucker yelled out his window door,
“Got to get back rolling on my annual thank-you tour.
“Can't imagine what's in store for me and trucking this New Year,
“Once thing is certain, talented technicians will always be near.”
Over the diesel's roar the trucker exclaimed as he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”