12-15-2019, 12:44 AM
'Twas 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 house did live.
I looked all about
A strange sight I did see
No tinsel
No presents
Not even a tree.
No stocking by mantel
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 round the world
The children would play
And grown ups 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 my God
My country my corps."
The soldier rolled over
And drifted to sleep
I couldn't control
I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours
So silent and still
And we both shivered
From the cold nights 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."
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 house did live.
I looked all about
A strange sight I did see
No tinsel
No presents
Not even a tree.
No stocking by mantel
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 round the world
The children would play
And grown ups 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 my God
My country my corps."
The soldier rolled over
And drifted to sleep
I couldn't control
I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours
So silent and still
And we both shivered
From the cold nights 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."