T'was the night before christmas
He lived all alone
In a one bedroom house made of
Plaster & stone
I had come down the chimney
With presents to give
& 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 stockings by mantle,
Just boots filled with sand
On the wall hung pictures
Of far distant lands
With medals & badges,
Awards of all kinds,
A sober thought
Came through my mind
For this house was different,
It was dark & 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
& grownups 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
& started to cry
The soldier awakened
& 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
& drifted to sleep
I couldn't control it
I continued to weep
I kept watch for hours,
So silent & still
& we both shivered
From the cold night's 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 & pure
Whispered, " carry on Santa,
It's christmas day, all secure"
One look at my watch
& I knew he was right
"Merry Christmas my friend
& to all a good night"
This poem was written by a marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan. His request was to share this poem with as many people as possible.
God Bless
He lived all alone
In a one bedroom house made of
Plaster & stone
I had come down the chimney
With presents to give
& 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 stockings by mantle,
Just boots filled with sand
On the wall hung pictures
Of far distant lands
With medals & badges,
Awards of all kinds,
A sober thought
Came through my mind
For this house was different,
It was dark & 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
& grownups 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
& started to cry
The soldier awakened
& 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
& drifted to sleep
I couldn't control it
I continued to weep
I kept watch for hours,
So silent & still
& we both shivered
From the cold night's 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 & pure
Whispered, " carry on Santa,
It's christmas day, all secure"
One look at my watch
& I knew he was right
"Merry Christmas my friend
& to all a good night"
This poem was written by a marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan. His request was to share this poem with as many people as possible.
God Bless
