The Dawn Before Christmas, by Trevor Allen

This story is part of a 10,000 Dawns Christmas. You can read the other stories and find more about this author by clicking HERE.

The Dawn Before Christmas
​by Trevor Allen

Twas the Dawn before Christmas, when all throughout mars,
Not a Martian was fretting, they dreamt of the stars.
Their rifles were cleaned and racked with such care,
In hopes that their freedom soon would be there.
The rebels were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of democracy danced in their heads;
And Zhang in her study, report on her desk
Had just settled her brain for a long winter's rest
When out on the street there arose such a clatter,
she sprang from her chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window she flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains and threw up the sash.
The moons’ light on the glass dome aglow
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,
When what to her wondering eyes did appear,
but a small crowd of people spreading holiday cheer,
they all carried candles, lit at the wick,
Voices raised in song, the melody thick
Sonorous as angels, the carolers came,
young and old ran out laughing, and joined just the same.
“Tomorrow for freedom, we might march for our home,
but tonight  sing together under the dome.
From Titan to Venus to the planets all,
We raise our voices so they'll hear our call!"
Like a herd of great beasts the carolers went,
Left Zhang all alone, her mood malcontent.
So off to the doorway, Zhang almost flew
As she struggled with haste to put on her shoe.
The building was silent, its walls all aloof
not knowing the joy of which the singing was proof.
As she opened the door and turned to the sound
of the carolers’ voices and their feet on the ground.
She made off in haste to catch up to the crowd,
she would march with her people, their heads all unbowed.
She joined in the chorus, she did not look back
they welcomed her in to become one of the pack..
Their eyes—how they twinkled! Their smiles, how merry!
Not one face concerned, not even one wary.
Zhang sang along and let her worries all go
she knew that soon enough they would only grow;
This one night at least, she would share in the peace,
she wouldn’t let worry put her brow in a crease.
They walked on for hours until their voices were sore
they walked on until they could not sing any more.
as Zhang looked on to their numbers quite ample
the last of her sadness she was able to trample.
With a smile on her lips, and a glint in her eye
she looked to the heavens and took in the sky.
She thought of her office, what was left of her work,
she thought of responsibilities she just could not shirk.
Thinking all this finally she knew,
tonight there was only one thing to do.
she climbed up a pole and gave a great shout,
to all those who were still there milling about
because working any more this day would not be right--
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

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