Twas the night of a strike when all through the school yard
Not a teacher was stirring, not even a guard.
The boys were all gaming, the girls in their sweats
all anxiously waiting to return to their desks
The students were nestled all snug in their beds,
While the linger of alcohol danced in their heads.
Though some were quite worried, and some didn't give a crap,
We all settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out from head office there arose such a clatter
We sprang from our beds, "a resolution to the matter!?"
Away to our laptops we quickly did dash,
Tore open our emails, our inbox did flash.
The glow of the message that appeared on the screen
Gave a glimmer of hope from what it had seemed.
Then what to our wandering ears should they hear?
But a tentative agreement. (its meaning is unclear).
The vote in its favor would allow the agreement to stick
But everyone knew it would have to be quick
Everyone waited to hear what they’d say
We quickly found out we’d go back on Monday
Now students, now staff, and all workers alike
Professors, librarians, we’ve finished the strike!
To the top of the hill, to the top of our game
Its back to the books so let’s wake up our brains
But then we all wonder what is yet to be done
As we meet with an obstacle, because such time has gone
With all this time off, the courses, they flew,
We’ve lost so much time now what will we do?
And then, in a twinkling, that appeared on the screen
There was a revised schedule from the UNB team
As we drew in our heads and then read the jot.
We knew in a moment it was just as we thought.
The term’s been extended until April 17th
And exams will take place in that month’s final week
And the very fear that made everyone shake
It cannot be so but it’s true… No March break.
The poor wide eyed students saw their dreams slip away
“But I already paid for the flight for my vaycay!”
It doesn’t seem fair that we pay for this fumble
But that’s just the way the cookie crumbles
On the optimist side, if it makes you feel better
At least we don’t have to throw out the semester
We all can return to our classes with ease
And we won’t have wait to complete our degrees.
So let’s use these few days to complete our unwind
Come Monday we’re all heading back to the grind.
But when we are stressing few weeks down the road
Remember the strike when you complained you were bored.
As we rise from our beds we will let out a chuckle
When we realize it’s been weeks since we’ve worn pants that buckle
And we’ll recognize the sunrise when we get out of bed.
But it won’t rise as we’re sleeping, but waking instead.
We’ll turn on our cars and our engines will whistle
And we’ll scrape off the ice and the snow with a bristle.
But they’ll hear us exclaim as we drive out of sight
"Happy learning to all, and an end to the strike!”
*Inspired by “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore. I wrote this in reference to the recent three-week strike at me university, UNBSJ.*
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