'twas The Night Before Christmas

'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 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 A 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 Disorder;
Not How I Pictured
A United States Soldier.

Was This The Hero
Of Who 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 This Soldier
Who Was 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 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
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 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
And With A Voice, Soft And Pure,
Whispered, "carry On, Santa.
It's Christmas Day, All's Secure."

One Look At My Watch
And I Knew He Was Right.
"merry Christmas, My Friend,
And To All, A Good Night."