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Life After Brown
A Different Xmas Poem
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<blockquote data-quote="moreluck" data-source="post: 276168" data-attributes="member: 1246"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="color: #000000"><u><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>A Different Christmas Poem</strong></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Transforming the yard to a winter delight.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, </strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>And I crept to the door just to see who was near.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>You should be home on a cold Christmas Eve!"</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>To the window that danced with a warm fire's light</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Then he sighed and he said, "Its really all right, </strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>"I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night. </strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>That separates you from the darkest of times.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>No one had to ask or beg or implore me,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>"I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>My Gramps died at Pearl on a day in December,"</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas </strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Gram always remembers."</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>"My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>And now it is my turn and so, here I am.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>I've not seen my own son in more than a while,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>But my wife sends me pictures; he's sure got her smile."</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>The red, white, and blue... an American flag.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>"I can live through the cold and the being alone,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Away from my family, my house and my home.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>"I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>I can carry the weight of killing another,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Or lay down my life with my sister and brother</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>"Who stand at the front against any and all,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>"So go back inside," he said, "and harbor no fright,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>It seems all too little for all that you've done,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>For being away from your wife and your son."</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>To stand your own watch, no matter how long.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>For when we come home, either standing or dead,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>To know you remember we fought and we bled</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="moreluck, post: 276168, member: 1246"] [CENTER][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][U][SIZE=3][B]A Different Christmas Poem[/B][/SIZE][/U][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][SIZE=2][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/CENTER][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Transforming the yard to a winter delight.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, [/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]And I crept to the door just to see who was near.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here![/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]You should be home on a cold Christmas Eve!"[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]To the window that danced with a warm fire's light[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Then he sighed and he said, "Its really all right, [/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]"I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night. [/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]That separates you from the darkest of times.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]No one had to ask or beg or implore me,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]"I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]My Gramps died at Pearl on a day in December,"[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas [/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Gram always remembers."[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]"My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]And now it is my turn and so, here I am.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]I've not seen my own son in more than a while,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]But my wife sends me pictures; he's sure got her smile."[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]The red, white, and blue... an American flag.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]"I can live through the cold and the being alone,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Away from my family, my house and my home.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]"I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]I can carry the weight of killing another,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Or lay down my life with my sister and brother[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]"Who stand at the front against any and all,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]"So go back inside," he said, "and harbor no fright,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]It seems all too little for all that you've done,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]For being away from your wife and your son."[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]To stand your own watch, no matter how long.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]For when we come home, either standing or dead,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]To know you remember we fought and we bled[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=3][B]That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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