Posted on 12/18/2003 9:03:34 PM PST by FreeTheHostages
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 faceweary andtight.
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.
"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 coldChristmas 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 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.
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,
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."
"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."
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.
Friends, keep Our military people in your prayers. They are risking their lives to protect what we take for granted, and we are losing soldiers every day. They won't be home with their families this Christmas.
I pray God will Bless Them, and keep them safe.
Merry Christmas!!
How are you doing?
My Entry I'm sure you'll agree that it's going to be hard For me to judge this contest, being such a bard. I thought it might more pour balm in the wound If I entered the contest and entered it soon. Cause frankly I've designed this contest thread So I don't have to work myself to death: Writing even bad poems takes time, you'll concede, So hopefully there won't be a zillion entries to read! But that being said, I do think there should be Oh just a few more entries for me to see. So here's one from me, with holiday wishes To see The Thin Man some day swim with the fishes. The easiest gift to give of all Is the one that is beautiful, blond, and tall. Only if your mind is beginning to falter Could you doubt that John should be with Ann Coulter. Next easiest is the first George W. doll For whom all this thread we've heard dansangel ball. I think that her grovelling should count for a lot. And so it's the flight-suited guy that she's caught. (Mind you this is not my judge's thread. This is just my entry instead. Although this thread does reveal my current thinking, Who knows what I'll think when I seriously start drinking?) Hmmm, I now don't know who really wants Rumsfield Help me out here, before the contest is sealed. Would Mama_bear, Aqua, or Dutchess want him? Give me a clue please, someone fill me in. The RNC Calendar seems like a loser But in fact, despite the fact I'm a boozer I can clearly say -- to the extent that I'm able -- That's its a special gift not commercially available. I could be wrong but if I had to guess. I think Mama_bear would like George W. best. I must go back and check my prior Rumsfield thread To see if Aqua or Dutchess tried to win him instead. Maybe no one wants the 2004 quilt engagement calendar. The only thing rhyming with THAT is "salamander." And that's OK with me because I could keep it too. Although frankly Maggie's due for a gift or two. Well this is my current thinking, and you can see that it's muddled. It must be the sherry, all pooled in a big puddle In this huge glass from which I claim to be drinking But truth is even I don't know what I'm thinking. So help me out and let me know what your call. Just who should get that Rumsfield doll. Who needs and wants a calendar best? Tell me before 8 and maybe a gift you'll wrest. |
How about you?
All the gifts are wonderful and I have no idea who should get what. I will leave that up to our Finest FRiends to decide. I do agree that Sistah "#1 Bush-bot Dansy" should definitely get one of the Bush dolls.
Pippin, your cute poem has my vote. You put much thought into it, I can see. A jewel, I am? Thanks sweet person, that takes some of the sting out of T Man's "Mama_Bear should get nothin'" comment LOL - and I thought he liked me. :-(
Dansy, have safe trip and a wonderful Christmas with your family. Let us know that you have arrived safely if you can.
Like Billie, I wish I could stay around today, but I can't. I must get busy on my to-do list and get the weekend thread ready to post.
Hugs all around. Have a wonderful day, everyone!
I could be wrong but if I had to guess. I think Mama_bear would like George W. best.
Yes, FReezie. How did you know? LOL...(I don't want to be greedy.....but I REALLY, REALLY want the (other) George W doll!!.....but I will be happy with whatever everyone else decides.)
See, you CAN write poetry. Very good Sistah!
No, I don't quilt, I also crochet (sort of, LOL).
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