Twas the night before Christmas, when all thru the house Not a creature was stirring, not even The Mouse The track pad was silent, the touchpad so still Computer screen empty with nothing to fill.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds While vision of Kindles danced in their heads; While I in my jammies and spouse in his shorts Had just settled down to watch evening sports.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter Away to the window I flew like a flash Tore open the curtains and threw up the sash. The L.E.D. lights from the pole on the street Shown bright on the grass –the fake is so neat! When what to my wondering eyes I am shown A tiny red object that looked like a drone.
A small little driver-dressed down in jean clothes Oh dear, can it be? It’s that crazy Bezos! More rapid than nanos, his small drones they came And he whistled, and shouted and called them by name: Now Facebook, now Google, now I-Phone and Upgrade On Bitmap, on Twitter, on Inkjet and JPEG To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all. The story continues- technology beckons The point of this tale—it’s now time to reckon Consider a shut down from email and text Be present this season. Forget all the rest.
Just look in the eyes of the people so dear- No digital greetings to ones who are near. I’ll see you next year as I vanish from sight Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
*With apologies to the two authors. Originally credited to Clement Clarke Moore (1822) and anonymously published on Dec 23, 1823 in the New York Sentinel. But according to University of Toronto English Library, in 2000 Don Foster concluded that it was probably written by Major Henry Livingston, Jr.