The day before vacation

'Twas the day before vacation; alone in the lab, 

Kirstin was working, with no free time to gab

The students had long ago left for their homes

Leaving their senior advisor at work all alone. 

Kirstin sat at the microscope, pipet in hand

To sort animals the size of grains of sand

She sorted for two hours, painstakingly 

'Til her lower back and hands spoke up achingly. 

With a sample complete, it was time to move on

Kirstin moved to her desk, which her laptop was on. 

A proposal was waiting for polishing words

To round out the message, which was written by nerds

Proposals must make a sound, solid case

For money to fund the great science race

The proposal was finished and sent to review

Kirstin breathed out and relaxed for seconds two. 

Next task was a paper, which she had to submit

To a journal, where hopefully it would fit

She uploaded the text, plus figures, plus a letter

A round of review will no doubt make it better.

With three major tasks done, Kirstin peered at the moon

Her energy level was still just like noon.

No need to push harder - with everything done

She could finally leave town and go have some fun.

Vacation is on! No work for two weeks!

News like this quickens the heart and reddens the cheeks.

Kirstin called to the dark as her car shifted gear: 

"Merry Christmas to all; now I'm out of here!"