The Bat Before Christmas

’Twas three weeks before Christmas, and at the Arboretum
The staff was assembled for a December meeting.
Greenery was hung ’neath the windows with care,
in a gallery spruced up with seasonal flair.

The staff members were solemn, seated in chairs
As budget discussions danced in the air.
With Ellie in charge and Kate beside,
We knew we were in for a lengthy ride.

When what to our wondering eyes did appear,
but a tiny grey critter in a window quite near.
A Christmas mouse, nestled among holly leaves?
Not a mouse but a bat, fallen from the eaves!

His eyes—how they twinkled! His fur—how it glistened!
His wings were like velvet, his ears seemed to listen!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And his beady black nose twitched to and fro.

Ginna jumped to her feet and exclaimed with vigor,

“Let’s exit the room before it comes hither!”

Robyn spoke of mosquitoes, and I of rabies

while secretly scanning the ledge for bat babies.

Then Kelli, that intern so lively and quick,
leapt to the rescue with nary a glitch.

Grabbing a dustpan and bowl lying near,
She soon showed us we had nothing to fear.

"Now swift flying mammal, now noble insectivore!

Now social cave dweller of Halloween lore!

On, master of hunting and echolocation

It’s time to curtail your Visitor’s Center vacation!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So out of the basket the bat finally flew,
From the entranceway bridge to a sky of clear blue.

And then, in a twinkling, we returned to our meeting
breathing sighs of relief with hearts still beating.

But we heard him exclaim ’ere he flew off to roam

“Merry Christmas from all that call Adkins their home.”

by Jenny Houghton
Youth Program Coordinator