Christmas for all who protect.

[Nutman]

The Night Before Christmas

T'was the night before Christmas,
He lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house,
Made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney,
With presents to give,
And to see just who,
In this home did live.

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

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

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

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

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

The face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured,
A Canadian soldier.

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

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

Soon round the world,
The children would play,
And grownups would celebrate,
A bright Christmas Day.

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

I couldn't help wonder,
How many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve,
In a land far from home.

The very thought brought
A tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees,
And started to cry.

The soldier awakened,
And I heard a rough voice,
'Santa, don't cry.
This life is my choice.

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
My life is my God,
My country, my corps.'

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

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

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

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

One look at my watch,
And I knew he was right,
'Merry Christmas my friend,
And to all a good night.'

Sorry it's long, but I thought I would say something for our Canadian and American friends who are fighting for us. Merry Christmas everyone.
P.S This is also my first post YAY

[a Silly Person]

It's about time you crawled out from under that rock Nutman.

Welcome to the Forums! ;D

[Death's Shadow]

thanks for the post nutman...

first post??? your post counter says 69.

or did you copy this from your first post?

either way its still a good poem and thank you for posting it.

[Nutman]

Sorry I meant this is my first one I started. I am an idiot.

[Death's Shadow]

no your not an Idiot, I miss understood...

cool post I do really like it. I am forwarding it to my son that is in the Marines. He will like it too im sure..

[a Silly Person]

Now I kinda feel like an idiot... I never looked at the number of posts before I wrote my reply.


DOH! ;D


MODIFIED 12-7-07
OH well, it certainly won't be the last time I stick my foot in my mouth or play the part of the Village Idiot.

You guys may as well get used to it....

As I have. ;D

[RedRock]

I wondered the same thing as DS and, noticing the 68 or so previous posts, just assumed Nutman meant first post "this year" or "on this topic" or some such thing. Glad I kept quiet and just let it play out, though.

[daffy_duck]

hmmmm let see...... well red you have 2558 posts now, i think their should be a reward for that, how bout a door prize, like a new desktop computer, one that says i'm a PC and throw out your MAC.