Got this in my email this morning and thought that I would pass it along. Before you read this, prepare your mind, wipe out all thoughts and imagine what you are reading, and what you are reading is true to life. Thank you and Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year to all


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 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 fires 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.

John (DH)

 

That is definately one of the better ones !! Thanks for posting it

The verse that says,
"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.
... is a very important one.

While we watch people refusing to do their jobs because the won't get a 8% raise citing the fear of increased danger as the reason .... please remember your sons and daughters on the front line, actually IN the face of danger. They are doing it every day, and will never, ever see more than 4% raise even under the best President.

My point is this ... it isn't enough to simply wave the flag, put a USA sticker on your bumper or paint a patriotic scene on a big rock (although, that is REALLY COOL !!) .... everyone needs to take it to the polls, take it to congress, take it to anyone and everyone within earshot and get our military men and women the pay, supplies and protection that they need and get it NOW. They can't do it alone.

sorry for hijacking your post .... I'm done. Happy Holidays !!

PISTOL

 

Great post!

 

This is as good a place as any to post this I guess. Here is a Christmas salute to the troops.

To those who are out there keeping me safe, Thank You.