A Poem

Last year at this time my son was in Fallujah , this year he is home.

This is to remind us all that a lot of our US military will be away for Christmas. So think of them.

“Merry Christmas, My Friend” by LCpl James M Schmidt, USMC, 1986

Twas 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

and to see just who in this home did live



As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,

no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.

On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.



With medals and badges, awards of all kind,

a sobering thought soon came to my mind.

For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.

This was the home of a U.S. Marine.



I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,

so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.

And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,

Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.



He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,

Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.

Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?

Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?



His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.

I soon understood, this was more than a man.

For I realized the families that I saw that night,

owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.



Soon around the Nation, the children would play,

And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,

because of Marines like this one lying here.



I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,

on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.

Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.

I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.



He must have awoken, for 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."



With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,

I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.



I watched him for hours, so silent and still.

I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,

and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.

Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,

with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,

and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.



I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,

this guardian of honor so willing to fight.

But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,

said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right,

Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

Roper









*Added link to source*

[edit on 21-12-2005 by dbates]

Very beautiful, Roper.



And, Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[edit on 21-12-2005 by dgtempe]

Amazing writing! Merry Christmas to you and all of your family!

A little somethin’ somethin’ to put this holiday into perspective…

Taken from Black Five



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 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.

Thank you Skippy! Thank you Roper! VERY much appreciated.

May God Bless you and your families during this Christmas Season! And may God Bless and keep watch over all of our troops!

No offence meant I respect all the troops and all you guys supporting them but one thing..
Isnt this a bit....far?
I mean sure your supporting them and showing that many are away from home at christmas and many are alone and cold but I think you guys might have taken the patriotism a bit...far..

^^^^^ poetry is a creative outlet. You're making it out to be to literal.

[edit on 21-12-2005 by Laughing Man]

Originally posted by Laughing Man
^^^^^ poetry is a creative outlet. You're making it out to be to literal.

[edit on 21-12-2005 by Laughing Man]

I'm just pointing out that it is VERY patriotic and very pro troops, nothing wrong with that but It just felt a little...off to me....sorry if this offends.

Anyone in your family an active member of the Marines? Any of you immediate family a Marine Vet? If not, that may be why this doesn't "Fit" for you.

My grandfather was a Marine stationed in South Pacific During WWII; he was also a CO during the invasion of Iwo Jima. He survived the war, was highly decorated and shared many stories with us about the war. Today I have two cousins serving with the Marines in Iraq and two cousins serving in the Army in Iraq. Both poems hit home with me.

I just thought that maybe a little perspective might help.

Originally posted by kozmo
Anyone in your family an active member of the Marines? Any of you immediate family a Marine Vet? If not, that may be why this doesn't "Fit" for you.

My cousin in law ( A good friend) is a royal marine yeah.
Its not that mate I respect marines and hell been made an "honoury" marine cadet.

My grandfather was a Marine stationed in South Pacific During WWII; he was also a CO during the invasion of Iwo Jima. He survived the war, was highly decorated and shared many stories with us about the war. Today I have two cousins serving with the Marines in Iraq and two cousins serving in the Army in Iraq. Both poems hit home with me.

I just thought that maybe a little perspective might help.

Both poems do cover what I see as the main problems that people forget, that there is someone there to defend you and that he or she is doing so most likely far from home.

Originally posted by devilwasp

Originally posted by Laughing Man
^^^^^ poetry is a creative outlet. You're making it out to be to literal.

[edit on 21-12-2005 by Laughing Man]

I'm just pointing out that it is VERY patriotic and very pro troops, nothing wrong with that but It just felt a little...off to me....sorry if this offends.

I find that a lot of what people claim is "patriotism" is merely narcissism.

We are all a little narcistic at times mate, I'm quite bad at it sometimes...

Originally posted by curme

I find that a lot of what people claim is "patriotism" is merely narcissism.

The more things change the more they stay the same eh?

This is a creative outlet for these people who feel strongly about loved ones serving their country. Try not to psychoanalyze it into narcissism. Its simply poetry.