Christmas Poem

[DelugeD]

If it offends some I apologize, but this was rather good

A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM

>

>  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.

>

>  WE ALL NEED TO PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL EVERY NIGHT!

[thesnake]

:O

[Voodoo Daddy]

Well Del, I liked it, and that last line is right on the mark.  ;)

[gunner154]

A nice poem. It sure sucks to be away from home. :-

[Nuvollari]

Hmm

[eid]

naic man very naic

after reading that,,all i could emote was 'aaawwww!' :'(

now....u did give up ur heater for the nice man guarding you    right?!

a lot of our SAS is still over in towlyville,along with the rest of the world : our best wishes to them and theyre families as well..lets hope patriotism can overshadow fanaticisim, at least for the forseeable future :]