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Happy Christmas

David J

By David J
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powerdesal Newbie

powerdesal

Posted
Posted
Happy Christmas from the Middle East.

ITS CHRISTMAS DAY ALL IS SECURE

 

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 HOME DID LIVE

 

I LOOKED

ALL ABOUT A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE

NO TINSEL NO PRESENTS NOT EVEN A

TREE

NO STOCKING BY THE MANTLE 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 LONE BRITISH SOLDIER

WAS THIS THE HERO OF

WHOM I'D JUST READ

CURLED UP ON A PONCHO THE FLOOR FOR A BED

 

I

REALISED 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 GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY

 

THEY ALL

ENJOY FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR

BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS LIKE THE ONE

LYING HERE

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY ALONE

ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE

IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME

 

THE VERY THOUGH 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 IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY. MY CORPS'

 

THE

SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP

I COULDN'T CONTROL IT I CONTINUED TO

WEEP

 

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS SO SILENT AND STILL

AND WE BOTH SAT AND

SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHTS CHILL

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD DARK

NIGHT

THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOUR SO WILLING TO FIGHT

 

THEN THE SOLDIER

ROLLED OVER WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE

WHISPERED 'CARRY ON SANTA ITS

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'

 

THIS POEM

WAS WRITTEN BY A PEACE KEEPING SOLDIER STATIONED OVERSEAS

THE FOLLOWING IS

HIS REQUEST I THINK IT IS REASONABLE.

 

PLEASE WOULD YOU DO ME THE KIND

FAVOUR OF SENDING THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN

 

CHRISTMAS WILL BE

COMING SOON AND SOME CREDIT IS DUE TO OUR BRITISH SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN FOR OUR

BEING ABLE TO CELEBRATE THESE FESTIVITIES.

LETS TRY IN THIS SMALL WAY TO PAY

A TINY BIT BACK OF WHAT WE OWE!

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cooperlola Newbie

cooperlola

Posted
Posted

Thanks for that Powerdesal.  I shall shortly be raising a glass (although, knowing him, it will probably be several!) with my squaddy godson, who is here for his hols.  He has done a tour in Afghanistan this year and although he makes light of it I know it is very tough on all those who are brave enough to take care of us.

We wish them all a safe 2008.

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powerdesal Newbie

powerdesal

Posted
Posted
My Son in Law went back to Afghanistan last week for the second half of his present (2nd) 6mth tour. He had an "early" Christmas with his wife and sons before leaving.

I trust he will take my advice and keep his head down, although apparently yesterday was a "bad" day (so he said).

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