A poem that I received


        TWAS 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 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.'

 
Posted by Mike Saunders on 12/14/2008 04:30 PM   Comments (11)   Tribute in the ActiveRain Channel  
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11 Comments on T'was the Night Before Christmas - Revisited

DEC
14
2008
1,142,806 Points 242 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

God bless America and our men and women who protect our freedoms!  Thanks for sharing this heartwarming poem!

Debe in Charlotte
5:12pm • #1
458,356 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

this is a beautiful poem. Most people don't trully understand the sacrafice that the men and women in uniform provide for our freedoms.
5:58pm • #2
818,352 Points Outside Blog Called Shot Master

As a veteran, I appreciate the thoughts for those that guard our freedom....mostly un-appreciated.

God Bless our Soldiers at this time of year.
6:03pm • #3
563,876 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Debe - thank you for recognizing those who serve, and have served

Steve - it's hard when most of the news about them is negative

Edward/Celia - thank you for your service
6:21pm • #4
DEC
15
2008
Localism Sponsor

Great Post Mike! Great new group. Thanks for sharing.

God Bless America and all those that keep HER (US) Safe.

My signature animated
4:42pm • #5

Great Post.
4:47pm • #6
563,876 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Kathy - thank you, I really like your signature

Mel - thanks for the comment
6:44pm • #7
DEC
16
2008

Mike ~ Great Post, we really do need to remember those that do not have a warm bed to sleep in and a family to come home to at the end of a day.  We take so much for granted.  Thanks for the reminder.
9:11am • #8
563,876 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Kathy - exactly, thanks for commenting.
9:32am • #9
399,140 Points Outside Blog

Beautiful
5:23pm • #10
DEC
17
2008
563,876 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hugh - thanks
5:45am • #11


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