A CHRISTMAS POEM

Thank you to my friend Ruth, who sent this to me today...... this is a Christmas poem, written by a Peace Keeping Canadian soldier stationed overseas. This is what he wrote:
"Please would you do me the kind favour of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our Canadian service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in some small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your part to plant this small seed......... Arthur Baier"

T'WAS 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 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 Canadian 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
And 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 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 Honour so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
He whispered "Carry on, Santa,
It's Christmas Day, all is secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right
"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all, a goodnight".

PEACE FOR MANKIND,
Love Jude