Friday, December 19, 2014

'Twas The Night Before Christmas.................................................

As I so often say, "Nuff said"



T'WAS 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 TO SEE 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 SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER 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 SOLDIER.

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 SOLDIERS
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 SOLDIERS,
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 SOLDIER 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 SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND SOON 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 SOLDIER 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."


12 comments:

  1. mel...

    I have never heard nor read that christmas poem before...thanx for sharing that...

    dave....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dave, thanks so much for dropping by my blog and leaving this message. It feels good to know that it moves others as much as it moved me when I read it. Merry Christmas, my friend, and as always, my pleasure.

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Juan, thank you so much for your comment. I am really happy that you enjoyed this. Kind of puts everything in a nutshell, doesn't it? Merry Christmas to you and your wife...........................

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Mark, I really appreciate the fact that my closest blogbuddies have stopped over and read this piece. I am not the author, but, take great pride in sharing their work here. God Bless, you and the wife, Mark. Have a great holiday season.

      Delete
  4. I seriously think my computer is having "issues." I commented earlier, so if it shows up, pick your favorite and post it. You always find things like this that actually bring tears to my eyes. My prayers are with our soldiers near and far. Well done brother Mel!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Howard, this is the only comment I received, so we will go with this one....................
      I knew when I read this that I had an obligation to share with all my blogging and Facebook friends. As I said in response to Mark, my closest BlogBuddies will know that this comes from deep in my heart.

      You take care of yourself and enjoy this holiday season with your wife and family.

      Delete
    2. Just in case we don't cross paths this week, From my family to yours...have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Don't forget the upcoming Fly Fishing Show.

      Delete
    3. The same to you and your family, Howard. Blessed be the time.....................

      You will have to stay on me about the Fly Fishing Show, though............................

      Delete
  5. Mel that is so touching. I and probably you have experienced a similar time in those years past.
    Be well all who are in uniform, for there are others who really care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Alan. Yes, I am sure we did spend a Christmas or Two so far from home and wondering when we gonna' go home! God Bless everyone in uniform, you are all on our minds tonight...................

      Delete

Your visit and comments are always welcome here.