to Barb Servello -
I don't know who you are nor do I particularly care, but what I do know is that your claim of authorship of this poem is a lie. I know this because I wrote it. It is actually titles "The Sands of Christmas" and it has appeared both in print and on the web countless times, to include "Stars and Stripes" and the International War Veterans Poetry Archives: http://www.iwvpa.net/marksm/the_sand.htm where a number of my other works are posted.
Y'know, if you want to be a poet, pick up a pen and write. If you want to share a nice poem, feel free to do so but at least have the decency not to steal credit for somebody else's work. I've worked very hard creating these tributes and do not appreciate plaguerists. If you are insistent in this sham and would like to compare notebooks with the countless sketches, drafts, etc. that I have in writing these, I'd be happy to oblige.
What is really sad is in making a false claim to draw attention away from those who really deserve it - our troops and their families.
Michael Marks
My Friend, none of us knew that poem had been Plagarized. I myself don't even know who Barb Servello is. Our only Intention was to Honor our Military, and we are very sorry that someone Plagarized your Work. Accept our Apologies for this Misunderstanding; we are sorry to have upset you. (And your Work is very, very Beautiful)