christmas poem

[masterorion]

Christmas Poem

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES

AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;



I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

 

[jazper]

That's a freakin great poem Master.. /bow

 

[Ecks]

I'm sorry I don't share the sentiment. Bleh is all that comes to mind.

 

[asiamise]

I liked it. Few people realize that our freedoms are defended, not earned.

A large majority of people in this country these days take that for granted.
It can be argued that this "current" conflict does not reflect this, however, this poem makes no reference to the current situation, and in my eyes, remains a touching poem to remind us that the things we take for granted, were fought and died over. If not for brave men/women so many years ago, we would all be goosestepping and speaking German.

/em salutes those who dedicate their lives to making sure mine is as easy as it can be.

 

[masterorion]

I liked it. Few people realize that our freedoms are defended, not earned.

A large majority of people in this country these days take that for granted.
It can be argued that this "current" conflict does not reflect this, however, this poem makes no reference to the current situation, and in my eyes, remains a touching poem to remind us that the things we take for granted, were fought and died over. If not for brave men/women so many years ago, we would all be goosestepping and speaking German.

/em salutes those who dedicate their lives to making sure mine is as easy as it can be.

very true....but another thing that alot of people dont realize is that during a non conflict time, not all people are able to go home to see their loved ones and it gets very lonely on a base with 90% of the people gone home and the rest of the ones that are stuck on base, it gets very lonely for them without their family

 

[asiamise]

I liked it. Few people realize that our freedoms are defended, not earned.

A large majority of people in this country these days take that for granted.
It can be argued that this "current" conflict does not reflect this, however, this poem makes no reference to the current situation, and in my eyes, remains a touching poem to remind us that the things we take for granted, were fought and died over. If not for brave men/women so many years ago, we would all be goosestepping and speaking German.

/em salutes those who dedicate their lives to making sure mine is as easy as it can be.

very true....but another thing that alot of people dont realize is that during a non conflict time, not all people are able to go home to see their loved ones and it gets very lonely on a base with 90% of the people gone home and the rest of the ones that are stuck on base, it gets very lonely for them without their family

Man, thats gotta suck I would never be able to get used to the homesickness and heartache, especially if children are involved.
I wish all those in the situation that Masterorion mentioned the best, and I
wish them passage home soon.

/salute

 

[Dillan]

I liked it. Few people realize that our freedoms are defended, not earned.

A large majority of people in this country these days take that for granted.
It can be argued that this "current" conflict does not reflect this, however, this poem makes no reference to the current situation, and in my eyes, remains a touching poem to remind us that the things we take for granted, were fought and died over. If not for brave men/women so many years ago, we would all be goosestepping and speaking German.

/em salutes those who dedicate their lives to making sure mine is as easy as it can be.

very true....but another thing that alot of people dont realize is that during a non conflict time, not all people are able to go home to see their loved ones and it gets very lonely on a base with 90% of the people gone home and the rest of the ones that are stuck on base, it gets very lonely for them without their family

Man, thats gotta suck I would never be able to get used to the homesickness and heartache, especially if children are involved.
I wish all those in the situation that Masterorion mentioned the best, and I
wish them passage home soon.

/salute

Thank you all, that means a lot!!

/salute