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Teresa
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
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A Soldiers Christmas
December 12, 2004 - 06:34 AM
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I realize I posted a site a few days back on how to aid Soldiers while they are overseas. But as we were putting up our Christmas tree and decorating our home last night, I heard this poem come on the radio. I had heard it along time ago in another part of my life, but I had since forgotten it. I went searching for it this morning and was amazed at how easy it was to find. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. This does not apply to just American Soldiers, it applies to any country who is having to fight for their freedom.
A SOLDIERS 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 UNITED STATES 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 AROUND 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 SOON 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."
This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan
Teresa
www.umhbtexasdem@sbcglobal.net
FREEDOM IS THE SOUND OF OPINIONS CLASHING
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Kayla O'Farrell
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Re: A Soldiers Christmas
December 13, 2004 - 02:15 AM
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Thats really good, thanks for sharing it
Kayla Shaye
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Rana Lotfy
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Re: A Soldiers Christmas
December 13, 2004 - 05:47 AM
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Very touching poem.
Though u could also apply the universal meaning to ppl who have lost their loved ones in war, or ppl who are lonely in this world.
To everyone out there have a Merry Christmas.
oops u reminded me i got some christmas cards to send!
Romaica 
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Brian
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Re: A Soldiers Christmas
December 13, 2004 - 07:30 AM
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Thanks Teresa! I knew it was written by a Marine before I even got near the end. The "Corps" gave it away. ; ) Semper Fi! Hoo Rah!
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Cicero
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Re: A Soldiers Christmas
December 13, 2004 - 07:56 AM
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Good poem. Keep it up.
Ave Futuria
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Larry McAdams
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Re: A Soldiers Christmas
December 13, 2004 - 11:40 AM
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Good poem. I havnt read a good poem like that in a long time. Good words of realism and lay out form. It's really like a short story, but great for poetry. It painted a perfect picture of true meaning with passion. Good poem to post, it's well manner for the soldiers..
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Ashraf
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Re: A Soldiers Christmas
December 18, 2004 - 10:24 AM
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Just a quick question:
Is there a poem out there for those victims who have been killed and raped by the American soldiers in Iraq?
I posted a letter sent by an Iraqi woman 'Fatimah' from Abu-Ghuraib prison but it is in Arabic. Honestly all this 'praising' for 'bravery' of those soldiers especially in Iraq makes want to vomit.
Have a nice day
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Udara
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Re: A Soldiers Christmas
December 19, 2004 - 01:35 AM
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Palestinian,
Check out the site :
http://www.warpoetry.co.uk/iraq_war_03.htm
Check the poem of Curtis D Bennet (from US) on Abu Ghraib as well as Nick Kollestrom on Baghdad.
The part i admire here is US/UK citizens them selves showing the senstivity for the sufferings of war, you can see many examples in that site of young american writers on the Iraq war.
Finally palestinian, I do not think its fair for us to blame the soldiers on what is happening on Iraq war, its the policy makers who make the decision and soldiers are just pawns in the hands of leaders.
And war means innocent casualties, the pathetic part of
the story. And the leaders are to be blamed!
cheers,
Udara
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Sowunmi Titilope
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Re: A Soldiers Christmas
December 20, 2004 - 09:27 AM
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It almost brought tears to my eyes. I didn't see only a soldier, I saw someone that left all pleasures to fight for a course that'll bring freedom to those in need.
It reminds me that there are so many to extend hands of love to this xmas - The missionaries especially.
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Danielle Blondin
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Re: A Soldiers Christmas
December 20, 2004 - 12:28 PM
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I think this is a great poem because it can be applied to any war where someone is willing to give up their normal life in order to fight for what they think s right and make the world a better place.
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