A Different Christmas Poem

This Christmas Poem, by an ‘Author Unknown,’
Fits this Time we are in, that Some ‘Take a Knee,’
As Protestation, Displays Disloyalty, ‘Openly Shown,’
Of, ‘Their Angst of Preservation of Land of the FREE.’
(IMHO)

A Different Christmas Poem
Author Unknown, (Rvsd a tad by AS)

Warm embers glowed softly, emitting soft light.
I gazed round the room, and cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest;
our daughter beside me, angelic at rest.

Outside fell the snow, a blanket of white,
transforming the yard, into winter delight.
Sparkling from lights on the tree, I believe,
completed the magic, of this Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
surrounded securely by love, I should sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
I slumbered softly, and started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't real clear,
But I opened my eyes, when it tickled my ear.
Twas the faint sound of footsteps crunching snow,
perhaps a soft cough, I didn't quite know.

My heart took a tumble, ears struggled to hear,
as I opened the door, just to see who was near.
Out in the cold, in the darkness of night,
Stood, a lone figure, face weary and tight.

There, a young Soldier, some twenty years old,
perhaps a Marine, stood guard in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
as he stood guard over me, my wife and 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 home, on this cold Christmas Eve!"

For only a moment I saw his eyes shift,
away from the cold and growing snow drift.
A flicker of longing flashed in eye at the sight,
of my window aglow with the warm fire light.

Softly he whispered, "It's really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my honor to stand guard, at the front line,
to separate you from this dangerous time.”

“No one has to ask me, not beg, nor implore,
I'm proud to stand here, like my father's before.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl’, on that Seven December;
a Christmas my Grandma will always remember."

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 sure has her smile.

Then, bending down, he softly pulled from his bag,
the red white and blue, the American flag.
"I can live through the cold, and being alone,
away from my family, my country, and home.

I can stand at my post, through rain and sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole, with little to eat.
I can carry the weight, of killing another;
I can lay down my life, for my sister and brother.

We stand at the front, against any, and all,
to ensure for all time, this flag will not fall."
Go back inside please, and "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 you have done,
for being away from your wife and your son."

In his eye welled a tear, but showed no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
Fight for our rights, here at home, while we're gone,
and stand your support watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing, or dead,
We’ll know you remember, we fought and we bled.
That's payment enough, with that we can trust,
we mattered to you, as you matter to us.

AMEN

(Should anyone know who wrote this poem, pls. let me know, or ask them to contact me. I desire official permission to Share it, possibly, especially my rendition of the original. TKS. AMEN).