A Soldiers Christmas (Thought i'd share a poem)

[Black_Moor]

This was written by a Marine stationed in Okinowa Japan. I feel it applies to all soldiers no matter your nationality.

-=-=-

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 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 Marine,
Once I Could See Clearly.

The Marine 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 Marine.

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 Marines
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 Marines,
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 Marine 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 Marine 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 Marine 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."

 

[wwildcats04]

very touching... thanks for sharing that

 

[Tyler718]

I always liked that poem as it comes around every year. This year I can really relate to it. As some of you know that I am in Okinawa right now away from my family. This is the first year that I have been away from my children for the Holidays ever. So I am feeling a little blah about that, but on the upside though is that I will be home in 36 days.

"T"

 

[Black_Moor]

I will be home in 36 days.

"T"

That won't be Christmas unfortunately, but it will be the New Year.. but a bit belated, but you can still be thanksful Godspeed and Happy Holidays.

 

[Dangerdoll]

I've always loved that poem too.... I just can't put on make-up before I read it or I'm a mess....

I will be home in 36 days.

"T"

good thing T, is the boys can have 2 Christmas' now....your arrival date is almost a month to the day. I know it's not the same but I'm sure the homecoming is going to be phenomenal.

 

[Dangerdoll]

here's another...

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."

 

[Black_Moor]

Thanks for sharing Dangerdoll, it's concept is almost identicle but just a bit different and I like your Sig graphic as well.

 

[Dangerdoll]

I know, the both get you *right here* don't they, BM

 

[Black_Moor]

I know, the both get you *right here* don't they, BM

Nods, I can't say that I am much of a poem reader.. although Beowulf is a favorite of mine 'epic poem' .. but this one really reached me in a way I can't explain so I had to share it.

This time around I have no friends in the Gulf, but have friends that have Children in it. Kind of a strange detachment as the first time around a few of my friends did go in the early 90's.

While this might not neccissarily be written for this conflict it applies to all no matter nationality, the war fought or the wish people have to see the soldiers return home.