‘Twas the Night Before Shift Change

2019-07-16 08:42:59.000 – Emma Penafiel, Summit Intern

T’was the night before shift change, when all through the MWobs,

Not a creature was stirring, except Ryan taking the obs*.

The weather room was clean through Tom’s survey and care,

In anticipation that the next shift would soon be there.

While visions of data swirled in their heads.

Nikki, Tom, and AJ changed into PJs early that night

While our two volunteers turned off the last light.

As everyone awoke from their deep sleep.

The morning had come, the sun risen while they slept.

Ryan would need some sleep and into bed he leapt.

As the weather room and den** started to crowd.

“This is 2-0,” John repeated as he did hut call

And I rush through the walk around, running into a wall.

Anna went through her presentation, making last minute changes.

But it all stopped with radio static and verbal exchanges.

The interns raced to their rooms for a last minute cleanup.

Twenty minutes go by and they’re past cow pasture,

The vans drive to the doors, giant in stature.

But the next shift all ready, covered in gear.

Groceries, baggage, and trash, oh my!

Shifting meeting in 10, greetings had ended,

The pantry was crowded as restocking was over-attended.

First came a brief forecast as we packed in like sardines,

Then came the shift change agenda, a well oiled machine.

The interns present, data now neatly arranged.

Mentors comment and new ideas are formed,

Soon, “We’ll be heading out in 30,” we are informed.

We jump in the car and can hardly believe

That the shift week had ended and we’re leaving the cloud

To go back to our homes away from the foggy shroud.

* The obs is the hourly observations that our observers make

** The den is where the interns all work

Emma Penafiel, Summit Intern