'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through Active Rain

Not a blogger was stirring, not even the ones in Spokane.

The For Sale signs were hung by the homes with great care,

In hopes that a cash buyer soon would be there.

The bloggers were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of closings danced in their heads.

And Johnathan in his new sneakers, and Matt in his cap,

Had just settled down for a power nap.

When out in the blogosphere there arose such a clatter,

Bob sprang from his office to see what was the matter.

Away to the window he flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw open the sash.

The lights that glowed from the Active Rain servers,

Illuminated the nodes, first California, then Florida and then even Denver's.

When, what to his wondering eyes should appear,

But a minivan, and eight motivated bloggers with cheer!

And a cute little driver, so lively and gnarly,

I knew in a moment it must be Lenn Harley.

More rapid than eagles her coursers they came,

And she whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Gary! now, Jason! now, Laurie and Colleen!

On, Bryant! on Sarah! on, Ricardo and Maureen!

To the top of your game! to the computers against the wall!

Now blog away! blog away! blog away all!"

As dry leads that before the wild housing boom fly,

When you meet with an obstacle, read CopyBlogger again, just try.

So powered by coffee, through the typing and corrections they flew,

They filled their blog with buyer stories and some for sellers too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard a quick click.

The submitting of articles on each brilliant topic.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Through the front door buyers came, with a bound.

They were dressed all in fur, and started to squeal,

"We read your blog, we're here, we want a good deal!"

A bundle of cash they had flung on their back,

And they looked like investors just ready to attack.

Their eyes -- how they twinkled! their dimples how merry!

Their cheeks were like roses, and noses like a cherry!

Their droll little mouths were drawn up like a bow,

And they screamed, "I want a house and I've brought lots of dough!"

The stump of a pipe one held tight in his teeth,

"I want a house with a great front door for my wreath."

One had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he yelled, "Help me, I want a Deli."

Another was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when he said , "I want a house all for myself."

The bloggers were happy as they searched MLS.

They knew that blogging was the key to success.

They spoke not a word, but went straight to their work,

They sold all the houses; and then turned with a smirk,

It's time to go home, take a nap and blog more,

We'll never stop just because our fingers are too sore!

Lenn sprang to her van, to the bloggers gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.


But I heard her exclaim, ere she drove out of sight,

"Merry Christmas Active Rainers and to all a good-night."