ComputerSysOp

'Twas the night before Hogswatch and all through the house
The one thing that moved was my hand on my mouse
In the snug hearth the firewall was banked up with care
No unwanted intruders would make their way there

The servers were nestled all snug in their racks,
Secure from bad crackers and hacker attacks,
And in the machine room, a sad place to be,
I sat there and stared at a dead IRC,

When suddenly hard-disks all made such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter,
Something was happening out in the dark,
While the routers and monitors stuttered and sparked

And there on the console right before my eyes
A chat window opened much to my surprise
Saying "this is much quicker than quill pen and ink"
I confess that I didn't know what I should think

It went to say "Never mind, do not fear,"
"A joyous Noel and a Happy New Year!"
"For I am the angel who brings you the sign"
"And I must say the Internet saves loads of time"

I stuttered and mumbled and did not believe
Thinking this was a joke for a cold Christmas Eve
My friends all had lives and carols and crackers
While I sat and suffered from angelic hackers

"No, no" said the cursor, "now put away doubt
For I am the truth and as such I will out
Your machines are protected from all, you will find
Now go out and drink and know great peace of mind"

"But the sign!" I typed hurriedly, "what is this sign?
What must you say that's for ears none but mine?"
Said the cursor "Go out in this season of mirth,
And know that that the geeks shall inherit the earth"

So I went, and I drank and my head is now sore
And I can't swear exactly what happened before
And I would dismiss this as imagination
If not for this brand new and gleaming SPARCStation.....