|
When I first read this I could hardly see to type , I thought about all the Men and Women that served in the Armed forces in WW1,2 Korea and the present and all I could think of was
THANK YOU!
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 Canadian, 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 'Dieppe on a day in December,'
> >>>> > Then he sighed, 'That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.'
> >>>> >
> >>>> > My dad stood his watch in that Korean Land',
> >>>> > 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,
> >>>> > Something red and, white, ... a Canadian 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 trench 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, 'harbour 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
_________________
Cheers,
Peter
________
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
