Twas the night before crisis

'Twas the night before crisis, and all through the house,

Not a program was working not even a browse.

The programmers were wrung out too mindless to care,

Knowing the chances of a cutover hadn't a prayer.

The users were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of inquiries danced in their heads.

When out in the lobby there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my tube to see what was the matter.

And what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a Super Programmer, oblivious to fear.

More rapid than eagles, his programs they came,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name;

On Update! On Add! On Inquiry! On Delete!

On Batch Jobs! On Closing! On Functions Complete!

His eyes were glazed over, his fingers were lean,

From Weekends and nights in front of a screen.

A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread...