A Soldiers Christmas Poem

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A Soldiers Christmas Poem

soldiersinsnow.jpg



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."

Then with nothing more than a shuffle of his shoulders
and a shack of his head. The young truned once more to
face the cold dark night. Away from my family and his to
the horrors of the fight. I watched as he wondered deep into
the cold night to stand his lonely watch one more time.
Like his father before him and his grandfather too I knew
this young man would one day die in a far off land. Once
more I remember the words of a great man. Never before
have so many owed so much to so few.

A few years ago a very dear friend of mine sent me this poem. She thought it would be a great Christmas gift. I don’t know where she found it but the poem brought a tear to my eye. I am posting this in response to Snowfall’s latest posting. I salute you all my brothers and sisters both past and present who bravely wear and have worn the uniform of our Worlds Armed Services.

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Comments

so very good

Alecia Snowfall's picture

so very good. If my tears never stopped falling it still wouldn't be enough. remember and hold true. We owe so much for all they go through.

quidquid sum ego, et omnia mea semper; Ego me.
alecia Snowfall

poem by

jacquimac's picture

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

thank you

wolfjess7's picture

Jacquimac,

Thank you. I have been trying to find out who wrote this beautiful poem for five years now. Now I know, thank you so much.

May the peace and happiness of the Goddess keep and protect you
as always your humble outlaw
Jessie Wolf

I am full time as Jane now,

I am full time as Jane now, but many years ago I was in the Royal Navy. We must all give to and help all that serve or have served. Pity some of the lefty types forget that. A man or woman that have given there life or health for their country are the best of the best of the best. they gave their tommrows for ours todays. Merry xmas and a happy new year to all who serve or have done.

sorry some of my spelling bit

sorry some of my spelling bit pants had a drink or two but god bless the long the short and the tall. god bless them all

Remembering at Xmas

jacquimac's picture

Unfortunately apathy has returned now the military has returned from Afghanistan,
Unlike the USA, Canada and other countries here in the UK our Military past and present are largely forgotten and ignored, There is no Veterans Administration soldiers are discharged and left to fend for themselves by large.
The Government and local Councils would much rather we crawled back were we came from or didn't exist.
I know this from experience, a Veteran of 23yrs with several campaigns under my belt, when I fell on hard times I was evicted and made homeless after being laid off. Yes apathy reigns supreme in the UK

If you go to Youtube you'll

jacquimac's picture

If you go to Youtube you'll find the poem read by Michael Marks who also appears to be credited with this poem. Brilliant to listen to. Called A Soldier's Christmas Call to Action

As one who stood on that line......

D. Eden's picture

Knowing that there are those who think of us and appreciate what we do truly is important to all of us who give up our time with our families in order to be the sword and shield of democracy.

This time of year I can't help but remember that many of our most beloved Christmas songs were written during one war or another - written to help express the longing for home that all soldiers, sailors, and marines feel during the holidays. Or written to tell those self-same soldiers, sailors, or marines how much they are missed at home.

It takes a very special person to put themselves between the evil that exists in this world and those we would protect. Having spent my holidays away from home nearly every year for over two decades, I can tell you it never gets easier. You try to make due by sharing the time with your comrades, but it isn't the same.

I salute my brothers and sisters who will be away from their loved ones on this holiday. You will be in my prayers and my thoughts, as will those who went before you and are now gone to rest.

Gone, but never forgotten. Merry Christmas guys - I miss you all and wish you were here with me.

Absent comrades.

Dallas

D. Eden

Dum Vivimus, Vivamus

Too all those who have....

have stood a watch, at sea, on land, in the air, on their home soil or ground far far away, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, the Blessings of Providence and that you return safely to your loved ones.

a soldier

Lest we forget them


ELIZA

When it comes to this poem,

When it comes to this poem, very, very fitting in this Season of Christmas which is supposed to be the time of brotherhood, friendship and family. Especially family. Too many do not have that within their lives, some by purpose, some by decisions made, and others by decisions made by not by their choice.
I can only add to what all the other commenters made in their comments; these small words. "AMEN TO THAT".

From one to another

sonai67's picture

I was a soldier for the Navy and the Marines, I say AMEN to this poem, and the thought that it sends.

Give unto those whom guard our rights, with their lives in the balance in a cold dark night. Far off in some other land standing in defense of those oppressed by hate, geed, and oppression of others. Give them our love and respect, for they give us protection of our country and rights as well as those that our government requests. To honor those whom have given their all, Remember them and their lives that gave us their all.

God Bless those that serve, and answer the call to defend the U.S. both our rights and our lives.

I Salute all that are in uniform today and pray for their safety and their safe return.

Sonai67