A Different Christmas Poem

Posted By Subsunk

Subsunk here.  December is upon us.  The winds are howling and the snow is falling in much of America.  I came in to work today and found this in my inbox.  Folks at work know I am very pro-military, and look out for things like this for me.  I don't know who wrote it, but he has all the makings of the Bard in him.

Many will say they have seen tributes like this before, but this one is new to me.  I have seen Christmas remembrances to the military before.  But not this one.  This one explains what those who do their duty expect of "We, the Protected".  Whether you serve in Alaska or Amariya, Iraq, some small tidbits in the news have recently pointed out why our servicemen sign up to serve.  They've even mentioned that the Iraqis signing up to join the Iraqi Armed Forces feel the same way as our men and women in uniform do.  They signed up because it is their duty.  To defend America, to defend Iraq and America from terrorists, to defend Americans who sleep at home safe and sound, because it is a dirty thankless job.

But someone needs to do it.  And when you get to the bottom, remember why they do it.  Do they matter to you?  And have you shown it.

For you ladies and gents around the world, standing your watch, walking your post, doing your duty, giving your lives to us, WE REMEMBER:

A DIFFERENT 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.

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Comments

[Jon]

Wow is about all I've got to say right now... thats an amazing poem

[Jacqueline]

Very touching - thanks for sharing B5

[Andy]

Beautiful. It reminded me of another poem I love. I know you and your readers will recognize the author's name.

FREEDOM FLIES IN YOUR HEART
LIKE AN EAGLE

Dusty old helmet, rusty old gun,
They sit in the corner and wait -
Two souvenirs of the Second World War
That have withstood the time, and the hate.
Mute witness to a time of much trouble.
Where kill or be killed was the law -
Were these implements used with high honor?
What was the glory they saw?

Many times I've wanted to ask them -
And now that we're here all alone,
Relics all three of a long ago war -
Where has freedom gone?

Freedom flies in your heart like an eagle.
Let it soar with the winds high above
Among the spirits of soldiers now sleeping,
Guard it with care and with love.

I salute my old friends in the corner,
I agree with all they have said -
And if the moment of truth comes tomorrow,
I'll be free, or By God, I'll be dead!

- Audie Leon Murphy

[Paula]

Great poem. Made me tear up a little.

[Ken]

May I use this with my Chirstmas Cards?

[ALI]

I've sent the link around.
The underlying theme reminds me that I always thought the lyrics to What Kind of Love could be answered by a picture of a
servicmember standing guard in bad weather.
excerpt:
What kind of love makes you go out in the wind and the driving rain
What kind of love runs through your heart with a pleasure so close to pain
What kind of love
Only this love that I have
http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/crowell-rodney/what-kind-of-love-1718.html

[Uncle Jimbo]

Nicely done Subsunk,

I have repented of my naughty Christmas carols now, now I'm feelin' all warm and fuzzy.

Cordially,

Uncle J

[Mel]

I am a Canadian who would like to thank all of your armed forces personnel for their tremendous work, their undaunted bravery and determined attitude in the face of all the criticism that has been aimed their way. I have only the highest esteem for the United States of America in your fight against terror and would like to humbly salute your soldiers, your country, your flag and your President. God Bless America! Long live the United States of America!!

[Marie]

Thank you for that poem; that made me tear up a bit.

[maggie]

The poet is Michael Marks. More of his work here:

http://iwvpa.net/marksm/index.htm

[Brian B]

Dammit, maintenance needs to do something about the air filters, there's dust blowing in my eyes... yeah, dust, that's it. I'm not tearing up for any other reason.

Thanks to all those who wear the uniform, to the Rough Men standing ready in the night. I will never forget that because you're in harm's way, I'm not.

[Marvin]

Subsunk - THANK YOU

[RC]

Amen.

[RC]

Amen.

That was a beautiful poem - I'll be checking out the link to his other work.

[Bill Faith]

I strongly second the advice to check out the entire Michael Marks collection at IWVPA. That particular piece is "A Soldier's Christmas" -- http://iwvpa.net/marksm/a_soldie.htm -- It was written 5 years ago today, btw. Thanks for posting it; I did last year but I'd forgotten about it.

[Edward]

Thank-you for sharing that poem. Those who understand it will NEVER forget, those who need to read will NEVER understand......

Merry Christmas to all

[bethtopaz]

Joe Williams, the father of a Marine killed in action in the Spring of 2003 in Iraq, read this poem last night at a special meeting of the River City (Sacramento) Republicans. I was crying, it was so beautiful. I always think of our troops as a shield of angels surrounding our country. Thank you Troops! You are all amazingly awesome!!

[Patti]

God Bless Our Troops,
p

[FVK]

Thanks for sharing this, Matt. That sent chills up my spine. What wonderful tribute to those who serve and sacrfice, especially those who have given the last full measure.

[kbug]

A friend emailed this poem to me yesterday, after I sent him pictures of my son deploying to Iraq on Monday. I read the poem out loud to my son's wife and my husband, but couldn't get all the way through it without stopping to clear my eyes and the lump in my throat. It's a beautiful poem and says it all. I've always had a great love for our military and what they give up to serve our country, my dad fought during WWII and I have another son serving in Alaska, but this year I feel it more deeply with my baby boy on his way to Iraq. God bless all of our troops, no matter where they may be. They are the epitome of giving at Christmas!!!

[seawitch]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful poem. Thanks to all who have volunteered and in doing so have given up so much. Godbless you all.

[Richmond]

Definitely teared me up. Thanks you for posting this. It's something we all need to be thinking about this Christmas.

[Patrick]

A Lovley poem thank you for posting it. We should never forget why we live in the manner we do, nor who we have to thank for it.

[Joe]

What more can you say? As always the ones who volunteer to defend us while their peers stay safe and sound are without doubt, the Angels amongst us. God Bless Them.

[Patricia]

I have two young men serving in Iraq and will not be home for the holidays. THANK YOU for this wonderful poem that helps a mother understand a little more. Merry Safe Christmas everyone

[Politics of a Patriot]

This poem has touched my family this Christmas, and we would all like to know the origination of this poem. Any ideas?

[Barb]

What a great poem! I am so pleased I stumbled upon it. I had just done Google search on "Christmas in Iraq" which is how I found this page! Here is another one:

"Christmas in Iraq"

'Twas the night before Christmas in an Iraqi town;
And our brave U.S. forces had all just hunkered down.
Not a Humvee was moving, not a Jeep stirred the sand
As troops dreamed of their homes, each and every man.
Some longed for their sweethearts, other men missed their moms,
Others missed sons and daughters not seen for so long.
Sugarplums would be nice, but much nicer to be
At home with their loved ones 'neath their own Christmas tree.

When what to their wondering ears should be heard,
But the faint sounds of carols, music and joyful words.
At first heard so faintly, then the sound grew and grew --
The sound of your loved ones singing carols for you.
For you are not forgotten, you are not alone;
You are missed by the people you keep safe at home,
And we remember you as the Christmas bells ring,
As you're watched by the Christ Child whose carols we sing.

For no matter how far from your home you may be,
There once was a Babe born for you and for me.
So hark to the carols as their music draws nigh,
And look to the stars in the Iraqi sky.
Remember the star which on Bethlehem shone,
The star that still guides those who yearn to be Home.
So as Christmas Day dawns over here, over there --
Merry Christmas to you, with our love, thanks, and prayers.

by Kathryn E. Darden

[Jen @ Poem4Today]

That certainly is a very different, but beautiful, Christmas poem. Thanks!

[maye]

i love them all.. how can i put a poem on this sight?? i have a few good ones.. to share... thank you maye.... mother of usmc daughter in iraq..

[Montana Susan]

Wow! What an amazing poem! And timely for me because I'm packing up a care box today to send to an MP unit in Afghanistan.

Thanks to all of you who have shared your stories about your loved ones serving today. I thank you for your sacrifices and the sacrifices and service of your loved ones in uniform.

Words cannot express how greatful I am for the ongoing price being paid for my freedom. In light of the bigger picture, whatever I do seems so small and insignificant, but I also know the soldiers need to know I appreciate all they do and that I care about each and every one of them.

Thank you for sharing the awesome, touching, uplifting, and soul-searching poem.

Susan

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[Patricia Dua]

I can bearly type this comment through my tears. What a beautiful sentiment to soldiers, both American and Canadian, who risk there very souls for us.
I have printed these poems to put in our family Christmas scrap book, so many generations will read them every Christmas, and know, they are able to celebrate because of the love, commitment and bravery of every soldier who ever fought for US. God Bless them all and keep them safe.