A Different Christmas Poem

[Paul]

With holidays of Hanuakah and Christmas just a few weeks away I hope all the sly brothers will read this, share it with others and remember that not all Americans will be spending the holidays warm and safe with family and friends.

 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."

[GASlick]

Stunning! What can you add to that?  THANK YOU to all who have and continue to serve our country!

I have copied it to my e-mail and it's going out to everyone in my address book.

[skinhead002]

Says it all about serving and our Great Americans! Great poem.

[wpruitt]

GASlick said it all.  This is going to make the rounds.  Excellent one Paul

[warhawk]

WOW.... that was very beautiful, poetic, and inspirational.  i just wanted 2 say THANK YOU 2 all who serve the good ole USA  both past and present.   

WARHAWK

[PBurke]

dammit paul. i should kick yer butt for making me cry. that was awesome.

[Razor X]

I just got this in an email and was going to post it.  Didn't realize that it had already been done.

[JDog]

Great post Paul, Thank you for sharing this truly inspirational piece.

[nomad]

Awesome Paul, got a little welled up there.

Prayers and best wishes for all who have and do serve our great country.

[Tom McGarry.]

Paul,,,,,, THANK-YOU for that!! It brought tears to my eyes as well   . I've said it before and I'll say it again,,,,,,
THANK - YOU, to ALL that serve, past and present!! You and your families have my prayers and my deepest respect for all that you do!!! No matter what branch of the millitary you may me in, please know that you make a difference!!!       You are all truly heros in my book!!!

[PigPen]

I have seen this many, many times and it always sends chills.