A different Christmas Poem

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I thought it was pretty cool!

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!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM