Monday, December 1, 2008

Christmas Poem



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 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 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 '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."

Written by: Michael Marks

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A special thank you to Debbi at Debbi's Dribble for sharing this absolutely beautiful poem. Debbi has requested this poem be passed along, I could not agree more. These words are far too important; they need to be shared.

May Almighty God bless each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine.

27 comments:

Amanda said...

It is a brautiful and heart felt poem, i couldn't agree more ~ it needs to be passed on.
Love,
Amanda x
(glad you have some Christmas music playing!)

Unknown said...

amanda...I do hope you will pass it along or ask your readers to stop by my blog. Glad you enjoy the music!

Mary Ellen said...

How beautiful, and how appropriate that we remember those who keep us safe. Thank you for posting this.

Steelers Wine Girl said...

Love it, definitely brought a tear to my eye. Beautiful message.

Unknown said...

ME... thank you for taking the time to stop by and read!

Unknown said...

swg... I could not agree more, a message we should hold in our hearts!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Alice said...

Tissue warning was needed for this. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

Michelle said...

Every time I read this I can't help but cry. Thanks for sharing and I will direct people to your blog to read it.

Unknown said...

alice...this is a must share poem. I'm so glad you stopped by!

Unknown said...

michelle...the words do settle in your heart, don't they? Thanks for sharing!

Tami said...

AirmanMom,
That is absolutely beautiful. I wish there was away to make sure that all American's had a chance to read this.


God Bless and thanks for sharing.


aam

Unknown said...

aam... I agree with you, all Americans should take a few moments and read this poem. I am thinking of making copies and enclose with Christmas Cards this year. The message is so very strong and clear!

Anonymous said...

you have a lot to be proud about.
God Bless and Merry christmas

Unknown said...

dd2...I appreciate your kind words. Thank you for taking the time to stop by.

Sarge Charlie said...

You sure know how to choke up an old soldier. Just popped in from the flag gazer, I like what I see.....

Unknown said...

sarge...it is an honor to have you stop by. I thank you for your service.

Ness said...

Thank you so much for posting this poem. I have posted it on my sidebar. I came over from Shay's Mom(Michelle)and am enjoying reading your blog. My son was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Army in May and is now in training at Ft. Sill, OK.

Unknown said...

ness...A special thank you to your son for his service and to you...being a soldier's mom deserves gratitude as well. I pray for your daughter, that she will heal and you can hold on to the strength needed for her.
Thank you for posting this poem, I'll be by to read you again soon.

kathleen's kit up said...

Dear Airman mom,
I read this poem tonight to my 17 year old son. His brother a soldier, and he sat silent for a moment and said, that's really good. Thanks for something to pass on to him. A rememberance of all we are offered by those who stand in that gap. Hope you don't mind if I steal it and post it too!

Unknown said...

KandP...It is so heartwarming to hear of the effect this poem had on your son. PLEASE post it!
Truly, it is a poem to be shared!

The Mrs. said...

as a marine wife I just LOVE this poem. great sentiment.

Unknown said...

mrs...Thank you so much for stopping by. Most of all, I thank you for your husband for his service and I thank you for your service as well.

Call Me Grandma said...

Beautiful and so true. Thankd God for those who serve.

Unknown said...

grandma...So glad you enjoyed the poem.

K-Dubyah said...

AirmanMom,

I'm borrowing it for mine...
I agree with all of the above, required reading for those who don't understand the how and who we have standing guard. We are truly blessed.

Thank you! and Debbi for these words.

Unknown said...

ky...you are right, we are so blessed!