A Different Christmas Poem

Colleges and Universities A-Z Service Academy Parents
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<p>forwarded to me from a USNA grad TopGun -Ghostrider Squadron.
It can be found on many blogs in the last week.</p>

<p>A Different Christmas Poem</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Read the entire poem by Michael Marks here: <a href="http://iwvpa.net/marksm/a_soldie.php%5B/url%5D%5B/i%5D"&gt;http://iwvpa.net/marksm/a_soldie.php</a></p>

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<p>4:00 am and I'm crying instead of sleeping.</p>

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<p>Twas the night before christmas,
He lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of
Plaster and stone.</p>

<p>I had come down the chimney
With presents to give,
And to see just who
In this home did live.</p>

<p>I looked all about,
A strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree.</p>

<p>No stocking by mantle,
Just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures
Of far distant lands.</p>

<p>With medals and badges,
Awards of all kinds,
A sober thought
Came through my mind.</p>

<p>For this house was different,
It was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
Once I could see clearly.</p>

<p>The soldier lay sleeping,
Silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor
In this one bedroom home.</p>

<p>The face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder,
Not how i pictured
A United States soldier.</p>

<p>Was this the hero
Of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
The floor for a bed?</p>

<p>I realized the families
That I saw this night,
Owed their lives to these soldiers
Who were willing to fight.</p>

<p>Soon round the world,
The children would play,
And grownups would celebrate
A bright Christmas day.</p>

<p>They all enjoyed freedom
Each month of the year,
Because of the soldiers,
Like the one lying here.</p>

<p>I couldn't help wonder
How many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas eve
In a land far from home.</p>

<p>The very thought
Brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees
And started to cry.</p>

<p>The soldier awakened
And I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
This life is my choice;</p>

<p>I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
My life is my God,
My country, my corps."</p>

<p>The soldier rolled over
And drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.</p>

<p>I kept watch for hours,
So silent and still
And we both shivered
From the cold night's chill.</p>

<p>I didn't want to leave
On that cold, dark, night,
This guardian of honor
So willing to fight.</p>

<p>Then the soldier rolled over,
With a voice soft and pure,
Whispered, "Carry on Santa,
It's Christmas Day, all is secure."</p>

<p>One look at my watch,
And I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend,
And to all a good night."</p>

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<p>I am numb, so honored to be the mother of a cadet. Sincere thanks goes to ALL that have served and for ALL that are serving in the US Military!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!</p>

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<p>Thanks for sharing those powerful and awesome poems.</p>

<p>As I read the poems my eyes also welled tears that held no regret.</p>

<p>Our proud yet humble warriors - God bless them all.</p>

<p>Our family is blessed to have our cadet son home for Thanksgiving. We will say a special prayer of thanksgiving today for all those soldiers and families that have sacrificed so that our family can share this day together in safety in our great country.</p>

<p>Blessings to all.</p>