Meghan McLean Poon, Ph.D.’s Post

'Twas the day before Thanksgiving, and all through the halls, Not a patent agent was stirring - there were no client calls. The claims were all drafted with precision and care, In hopes that allowances soon would be there. The associates nestled all snug at their screens, While visions of patents danced in their dreams. With partners in offices, and I in my chair, Had just settled down from an urgent patent filing scare. When out in the lobby there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter. When what came before my tired eyeball, But a miniature sleigh and USPTO director Kathi Vidal, More rapid than eagles her coursers they came, And she whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: 'Now, Claims! Now, Drawings! Now, Abstracts and Specs! On, Prior Art! On, Searches! On, Filing and Checks! To the top of the docket! To the top of the wall! Now file away! File away! File away all!' With the sleigh full of patents, and Ms. Vidal too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney Ms. Vidal came with a bound. A bundle of patents she had flung on her back, And she looked like a peddler just opening her pack. And I laughed when I saw her, in spite of myself. A wink of her eye and a twist of her head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; She spoke not a word, but went straight to her work, And examined all the patents; then turned with a jerk, She sprang to her sleigh, to her examiners 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— 'Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good night!' Wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving filled with friends, family and food.