A Different Christmas Poem

CBI_2 · 12-04-2008, 06:05 PM

A friend sent this to me and thought some here would like this.

[FONT=Times New Roman]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.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]
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.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]
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.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]
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.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]
"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.. [/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]
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.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]
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. [/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]
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.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]
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."[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]
" 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."[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]
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."[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]
[/FONT]

Tio Gato · 12-04-2008, 06:11 PM

Thank you for that. It warmed my heart and made me think.

acruce · 12-04-2008, 07:59 PM

Thank god for our troops and this great country

12-04-2008, 08:13 PM

brother it stirs the heart and if that doesn't get your allergies flaring... my little brother is rolling out in his first trip(I'm certain it's not his last) here soon. Hits home my friend. Thanks for posting, and thanks for the troops who do what they do, because it's what they do.

md4958 · 12-04-2008, 08:17 PM

God bless our troops, and God bless America

macpappy · 12-04-2008, 08:49 PM

I see a similar poem every year and it always produces goosebumps. Thanks for the reminder.

12-04-2008, 06:05 PM	#1
CBI_2 Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Paul Location: In my skin. Posts: 2,066 Trading: (0)	A Different Christmas Poem A friend sent this to me and thought some here would like this. [FONT=Times New Roman]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.[/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman] 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.[/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman] 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.[/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman] 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.[/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman] "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.. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman] 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.[/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman] 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. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman] 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.[/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman] 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."[/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman] " 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."[/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman] 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."[/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT] __________________ "The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants." Albert Camus Cool Cigar Themed Stuff

12-04-2008, 06:11 PM	#2
Tio Gato Uncle Kitty Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Casa Grande, AZ Posts: 2,075 Trading: (11)	Re: A Different Christmas Poem Thank you for that. It warmed my heart and made me think. __________________ "You stink like cigars Uncle Kitty!" Said my Boo age 3. "Kid, take care of your family and the hell with anyone else" My Grandpa Bubba.

12-04-2008, 07:59 PM	#3
acruce Just killing Time Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andy Location: Venus TX Posts: 1,114 Trading: (1)	Re: A Different Christmas Poem Thank god for our troops and this great country __________________ LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST~SMOKE AS MANY FINE CIGARS AS POSSIBLE ~ SMILE ~ IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD!!

12-04-2008, 08:13 PM	#4
theycallmedan'lboone Guest Posts: n/a	Re: A Different Christmas Poem brother it stirs the heart and if that doesn't get your allergies flaring... my little brother is rolling out in his first trip(I'm certain it's not his last) here soon. Hits home my friend. Thanks for posting, and thanks for the troops who do what they do, because it's what they do.

12-04-2008, 08:17 PM	#5
md4958 Captain Cannoli Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moe Location: Suffield, CT Posts: 5,712 Trading: (62)	Re: A Different Christmas Poem God bless our troops, and God bless America __________________ "One fart can foul the air for everyone" - Esteemed philosopher "If avoiding the nasty $hit is being a snob, them I am guilty as charged."- Same esteemed philosopher.

12-04-2008, 08:49 PM	#6
macpappy Rider on the storm. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Slidell, LA Posts: 851 Trading: (0)	Re: A Different Christmas Poem I see a similar poem every year and it always produces goosebumps. Thanks for the reminder. __________________ WARNING: I am a Southern White Male. I have a brain and I know how to use it.