What agreat poem. Really makes you think. > > > 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!
-- Buck Hall Coldwater, OH [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://users.adelphia.net/~ehall77
