'Twas the night before finals
And all through the college
The students were praying
For last minute knowledge

Most were quite sleepy
But none touched their beds
While visions of essays
Danced in their heads

Out in the taverns
A few were still drinking
And hoping that liquor
Would loosen their thinking

In my own dorm room
I had been pacing
And dreading exams
I soon would be facing

My roommate was speechless
His nose in his books
And my comments to him
Drew unfriendly looks

I drained all the coffee
And brewed a new pot
No longer caring
That my nerves were all shot

I stared at my notes
But my thoughts were all muddy
My eyes went a blur
I just couldn't study

"Some pizza might help,"
I thought with a shiver
But each place that I called
Refused to deliver

I'd nearly concluded
That life was too cruel
With futures depending
On grades had in school

When all of a sudden
Our door opened wide
And Patron Saint Put It Off
Ambled inside

His spirit was careless
His manner was mellow
He looked straight at me
And started to bellow:

"What kind of student
Would make such a fuss
To toss back at teachers
What they tossed at us?

"On Cliff Notes! On Crib Notes!
On Last Year's Exams!
On Wingit and Slingit
And Last Minute Crams!"

His message delivered
He vanished from sight
But we heard him laughing
Outside in the night

"Your teachers have pegged you
So just do your best
Happy Finals to all
And to all a good test"