>>> > The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
>>> > I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
>>> > My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
>>> > My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
>>> > Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
>>> > Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
>>> > The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
>>> > Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
>>> > My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
>>> > Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
>>> > In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
>>> > So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
>>> >
>>> > The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
>>> > But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
>>> > Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
>>> > sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
>>> > My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
>>> > And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
>>> > Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
>>> > A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
>>> >
>>> > A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
>>> > Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
>>> > Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
>>> > Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
>>> > "What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
>>> > "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
>>> > Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
>>> > You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
>>> >
>>> > For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
>>> > Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
>>> > To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
>>> > Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
>>> > I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
>>> > "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
>>> > That separates you from the darkest of times.
>>> > No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
>>> > I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
>>> > My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
>>> > Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always
>>>remembers."
>>> > My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
>>> > And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
>>> > I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
>>> > But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
>>> >
>>> > Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
>>> > The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
>>> > I can live through the cold and the being alone,
>>> > Away from my family, my house and my home.
>>> > I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
>>> > I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
>>> > I can carry the weight of killing another,
>>> > Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
>>> > Who stand at the front against any and all,
>>> > To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
>>> >
>>> > "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
>>> > Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
>>> > "But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
>>> > "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
>>> > It seems all too little for all that you've done,
>>> > For being away from your wife and your son."
>>> > Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
>>> > "Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
>>> > To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
>>> > To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
>>> > For when we come home, either standing or dead,
>>> > To know you remember we fought and we bled.
>>> > Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
>>> > That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
A Different Christmas Poem
Moderator: Site Admin
-
AngryPistols
- US Army Veteran
- Posts: 862
- Joined: March 3rd, 2004, 11:03 am
