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,
"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."
Written by
Michael Marks
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About Me
FlSweetness
Avatar since: 05/09/07
Female
Age: 22
United States - FL
Last log on: 12/19/09
"May the Blessings of the Holidays be with you always!"
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FlSweetness I place myself here and first because if I do not love myself and feel good about who I am then I am not capable of loving anyone else. I DO love myself and I enjoy the person I am becoming!
Hockeyplayerhotty This is the person whom I call my HUGGLES BEAR...because he is always there to hug me and hold me and listen to me regardless of the kind of day I have had. You could not find someone with more understanding and compassion even if he does ask the dumbest questions at times...hehe! He has grown so much as a person since we have met and although we have been through some truly trying times our friendship has survived. Hockeyplayerhotty, you are the caterpillar growing into that amazing butterfly and I can not wait to see it. As long as you control that HOCKEY TEMPER you are a awesome person to have around. You are someone very SPECIAL!
Chryslerboy This is my craziest friend and I would not want him any other way. I never know what he is going to come up with next but he keeps me laughing. He has that rare ability to make me smile even when I do not want to. We have been through the highs and lows of life together so I know we will always be there for each other. He is my adventurer and my explorer and is always willing to try something new with me. Chryslerboy, I could not imagine my life without you and all your insanity. I know I can turn to you and ask anything and you will find a way. You are someone very SPECIAL!
Goofman This is my cyber big brother who I wish was a real brother because he has the biggest heart you will ever find. He is my protector and my sounding board and I am so grateful for the day we met. Our friendship has withstood the roller coaster ride so I know we are friends forever. I could not survive without his gigantic GOOFY hugs to get me through the day! Goofman, I hope you know how much you mean to me because you have a permanent place in my heart. You are someone very SPECIAL!
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