Author
|
Topic: a new christmas poem (Read 256 times)
|
Fred Deadman
ALWAYS A ROYAL
Veteran 100+ Member
 Offline
Gender: 
Posts: 117
Pro Patria
|
A Different Christmas Poem
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 Private, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Stan ding 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 Vimy on a day in December,
"Then he sighed"
"That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
" My dad stood his watch in the streets of Arnhem ,
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But his wife sends me pictures, he's sure got a nice smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, and the white .. the Canadian 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 for my sister of 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, "harbour 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 daughters or sons.
" 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."
|
1RCR 78-82,B Coy, C Coy, E Coy morpl RSS 48th Highlanders
Construction Engineers 82-93 (retired)
CFB London/CFB Toronto/CFB Chilliwack/CFB Trenton/CFS Alert/UNFCYP/CFB Suffield/CFB London
retirment
|
|
|
ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 2135
|
Hey , a real good one Fred, thanks for sharing.. says it all..ranrad
|
RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
|
|
|
Donald
Veteran 300+ Member
Offline
Posts: 393
|
Where did the year go? Suddenly it is December......again - and we realize that with giant strides we started in January and within a blink of an eye, 2007 is on its back!
A big "Thank You" to each and everyone of you, for the huge impact you had on our life this year. Especially for all the support and e-mails we received.......without you, I'm sure that 2007 would have been extremely boring.
From my side I wish you all a magical Christmas Season filled with Loving Wishes and Beautiful Thoughts.
May 2008 mark the beginning of a Tidal Wave of Love, Happiness and Bright Futures.
And to those who need someone special, may you find that true love.
To those who need money, may your finances overflow
To those who need caring, may you find a good heart
To those who need friends, we am still here for you .
To those who need life, may you find GOD .
Thanks for being My Friend!!
|
|
|
|
|
Jim Hickson
CWO H.J. Hickson, MMM, CD. (Retd)
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 5268
Pro Patria
|
Hi Donald
May 2008 mark the beginning of a Tidal Wave of Love, Happiness and Bright Futures. Thanks for being My Friend.
Jim
|
1961-Depot San Lenorado
1962-1st Bn RCR Ex Gagetown
1962-JR NCO Course Grad 19 Oct
1962-1965 Germany B-C-D-A Coy (Revecated Nov 64)
1965-1967 Sigs Pl Cyprus Prom CPL 'til xmas and C of Drums
1967-1973 Cpl, MCpl, Sgt, Sigs, D Coy
1973-1977 CFOCS Chilliwack Prom WO
1977-1982 UEO, Sigs, Pl WO RECCE, CSM B&A Coy,
1982-1984 SIT School
1984-1988 Career Manager (Prom CWO 1986)
1988-1990 RSM 1RCR
1991-1995 CWO Adm(Per) - C Of S
1995-1999 Base CWO Wainwright
1999-Retired
|
|
|
ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 2135
|
And to you and yours too Donald, all the best, and thanks for shring the great jokes and being a great friend...ranrad
|
RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
|
|
|
|
Logged
