Cascade Crew

[alloy]

New Christmas Poem

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 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,
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 HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
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 GOOD NIGHT.'

This poem was written by a Marine.

[Al Hasse]

Great poem, here's another version that I'm more familiar with


A Submarine Christmas Poem

'Twas the night before Christmas; he lived in a crowd,
In a 40 man berthing, with shipmates so loud.

I had come down the sail with some presents to give,
And to find out just who in this small rack did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight did I see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stockings hung, just a poopy-suit at hand;
On the bulkhead were pictures of a far-distant land.

He had medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
But one of particular interest I did find:
Dolphins with a submarine, pinned on with pride.
While glancing around, it was clear to see, I'd
Find this place quite different: dark, silent, and dreary,
'Twas the bunk of a Submariner at once I saw clearly.

The Sailor lay sleeping in this gray, crowded room,
Curled up in his rack, only dreaming of home.
His face looked so gentle, his berth couldn't be cleaner,
But this was not how I'd pictured a U.S. Submariner.

Could this be the hero I'd seen on TV
Defending his country so that all could be free?
I realized the families that I'd seen this night,
Owed their lives to these Sailors who were willing to fight.

Soon 'round the world, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate a new Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year
Because of the Sailor, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help but wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve on the sea, far from home.
The very thought brought a small tear to my eye;
I dropped to my knees, and I started to cry.

The Sailor awakened, and I heard his tired voice,
"Santa, don't cry; for this life is my choice.
I'll bravely defend the seas day by day,
Though few ever know of the price we must pay."

The Sailor rolled over and fell back asleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours--so silent, so still,
And both of us shivered from the long night's cold chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold winter's night,
This Guardian of Honor, who defended what's right.
Then he rolled over once more, and with voice calm and pure,
Whispered, "Carry on, Santa; never fear! All's secure!"

Author: Unknown



The reference to poopy-suit for those not in the know, is just another name for coveralls. The Dolphins are the warfare insignia worn by a submariner similar to ESWS to you surface guys out there