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."
> > >
> > > PLEASE, Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many
> people
> > >as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our
> > >U.S.service men and women for our being able to celebrate these
> > >festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we
> owe.
> > >Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed
> > >themselves for
> > > us.