Twas the week before IPP

It’s getting close … something to make you all smile.

Twas the week before IPP

Twas the week before IPP, when all through the house,
Not a puzzle was stirring, not even a burr.
The puzzles were packed in the case with care,
In hopes an exchange would soon be here.

The puzzlers were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of puzzles danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just engaged out brains after a long summer’s nap.

When out on the table there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
To the puzzle room I flew like a flash,
Tore open the door and saw Jenga toppled fast.

The moon on the top of the new-fallen blocks
Gave the lustre of mid-day to puzzles below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature coffin, and 30 design entries to play.

With a little packing problem, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be time.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Stickman! now, Keagen! now, Fuller and Rox!
On, Devost! On, Deventer! on, on Rolly and Chinny!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now design away! Design away! Design away all!”

As puzzle solvers that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, think ‘my oh my”.
So off to the puzzle room the coursers they flew,
With the room full of Toys, and Brian Pletcher too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the floor
The prancing and pawing of each little piece.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Along came the solution from my mind did abound.

He was dressed all in black, from his head to his foot,
And his papers were all tarnished with puzzles and loot.
A bundle of Toys he had reviewed with his team,
And he looked like a judge, all bristling with gleam.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up but no folly,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the holly.

The stalk of a trophy he held tight in his arms,
And the room it grew silent awaiting his charms.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave us to know the results were soon read.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And set all the trophies, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, to all he then spoke!

The winner this year, from all the puzzles so great,
Can go to one only, the greatest he said.
But then I awoke, and I know not the end,
“Another Puzzle Party, what else my friend!”

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