A different Christmas poem

[Keith Webb]

Just noticed this on the PlaneTalk forum and thought some of you may appreciate it. If you go to the link you'll see someone has picked up on the bit about the flag not being the ensign too...

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 Canadian, 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 'Dieppe on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in that Korean Land',
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,
Something red and, white, ... an Canadian 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 trench 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."

Ah ... that's quite the poem. Thank you for posting it Keith.

I especially like the last 3 parts:

"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."

Karmen

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Thanks for that, Keefy... here's a neat little clip on Christmas dinner in 1944, albeit they used the photo of Canadians in Ortona in '43...

http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-69-384-...mas_dinner_ww2

Geoff,

That was really awesome ... a flashback of a Soldiers Christmas Dinner Past.

Kartmen

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Vets Dottir
That was really awesome ... a flashback of a Soldiers Christmas Dinner Past.

Thinking of Ortona first, but then Holland... I think it would be marvelous to make at least a half-hour TV special on Christmas in the lines. It would be particularly poignant given our troops in Afghanistan right now. BTW, it was on the news today that families can send gifts to their men over there for free, courtesy of Canada Post. My gawd, the gummint's finally doing right by the lads.

But getting back to my original comment, Keefy, you're The Man here, how does one take a concept and turn it into film? I know exactly what I'd like to see...

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
But getting back to my original comment, Keefy, you're The Man here, how does one take a concept and turn it into film? I know exactly what I'd like to see...

Great idea

Also a great idea that the families can send Christmas presents to their family serving over there. I'd like to think of every serving member far from home receiving a little Canadian Christmas Care Package all the way from HOME

Karmen.

[Jon Skagfeld]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
Just noticed this on the PlaneTalk forum and thought some of you may appreciate it. If you go to the link you'll see someone has picked up on the bit about the flag not being the ensign too...

Dammit, Keith...with that poem, you brought a tear to my eye!

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

I would like to offer my salute to ALL of the soldiers of ALL of our nations, who will be spending their Christmas away from home, in lands fraught with danger. I would be with you if I could.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Thinking of Ortona first, but then Holland... I think it would be marvelous to make at least a half-hour TV special on Christmas in the lines. It would be particularly poignant given our troops in Afghanistan right now. BTW, it was on the news today that families can send gifts to their men over there for free, courtesy of Canada Post. My gawd, the gummint's finally doing right by the lads.

But getting back to my original comment, Keefy, you're The Man here, how does one take a concept and turn it into film? I know exactly what I'd like to see...

Jif
Here is the radio clip of that Christmas..
There are other interesting clips there,Including Ortona Christmas..Churchills "Chicken" speech and King Georges Christmas '39 address to the nation.

http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-69-384-...mas_dinner_ww2

[Pedr]

'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 an Australian soldier.

Was this the hero, of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realised the families, that I saw this night;
Owed their lives to these soldiers, who where 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 but 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;
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 an Australian Peacekeeping Soldier stationed overseas.

It came with this footnote:

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 ALL of our service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this 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.


And now on a somewhat lighter note.....enjoy the following picture.

Pedr

[sapper740]

Originally posted by Pedr
This poem was written by an Australian Peacekeeping Soldier stationed overseas.

I have received this poem in emails three times...each time it has been attributed to a soldier from a different country. I wonder who really wrote it?

Originally posted by sapper740
I have received this poem in emails three times...each time it has been attributed to a soldier from a different country. I wonder who really wrote it?

I haven't a clue either, but like you, I've heard it belonged to "different countries etc" too. It WOULD be nice to know the one who wrote it and give credit where credit is due, but I wonder if its possible that the writer intended that the poem represent all soldiers in all countries as a common thread that runs through all soldiers, no matter what country they serve? Maybe the writer chose to remain anonymous?

The Archetypal soldier?

If anyone ever learns there "should" be only ONE real name as its writer ... I want to know it.

Karmen

[Howard]

Our version of "Jingle Bells". It is changed dramatically because, obviously, a) we have no snow, b) we have no bells. But we do have plenty of Jingle.
Rather than recall the lyrics by memory, I checked out the following website to lift the lyrics. The story with it may be of interest...

Dashing through the bush,
in a rusty Holden Ute,
Kicking up the dust,
esky in the boot,
Kelpie by my side,
singing Christmas songs,
It's Summer time and I am in
my singlet, shorts and thongs

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia
on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

Engine's getting hot;
we dodge the kangaroos,
The swaggie climbs aboard,
he is welcome too.
All the family's there,
sitting by the pool,
Christmas Day the Aussie way,
by the barbecue.

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia
on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

Come the afternoon,
Grandpa has a doze,
The kids and Uncle Bruce,
are swimming in their clothes.
The time comes 'round to go,
we take the family snap,
Pack the car and all shoot through,
before the washing up.

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia
on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

[Howard]

This email was sent to the website:

I am a Girl Guide Leader for youths here in Ontario, Canada. This Christmas we are studying Christmas around the world, and my group was lucky enough to choose Australia. We have studied the resources found on the internet, (including your site) and I was wondering if I could bother you with some questions.

We are going to sing the Aussie version of Jingle Bells and I would like to tell the girls what some of the words mean. Do you have a minute to reply?

1) Dashing through the bush in a rusty Holden ute (what is a Holden ute?) What is the correct pronunciation?
2) Kicking up the dust, Esky in the boot.... (what is Esky?)
3) Kelpie by my side, singing Christmas songs.... (what is Kelpie?)
4) The swaggie climbs aboard, he is welcome too... (what is a swaggie?)
5) And pack the car and all shoot through Before the washing up.... (What exactly does this line refer to?)
6) Does Santa really wear a bathing suit? If not, what is his normal attire?
Thank you very much for your time. We really appreciate it.

[Howard]

Below is the translation from the Australian language to English.
1) Answer. Holden is a make of car, its main opposition in Australia is Ford or Toyota. See below. Ute is an abbreviation of utility. The ute is usually based on the current model car and is thus about the size of a car and not usually as large as what Americans call a "pick up truck" so "dashing through the bush in a rusty Ford pick up truck" is a translation. Pronunciation Holden - hold den. Ute to rhyme with boot.
2) Answer. An esky is a portable cooler to keep your drink and food cool. Say 18 inches long by 12 wide by 15 height. A clip on lid and a handle, we put ice in them to do the cooling. Very well insulated,
3) Answer. A kelpie is an Australian breed of dog. Much like a Border Collie only a rougher coat. Traditionally trained to herd sheep and is a farmers best friend. November 2003 received this email "The photo and description you have given of a kelpie sounds a lot like a blue heeler. I wonder if you would like to follow this up. I have included a link to a kelpie website."
4) Answer. Swaggie is an abbreviation of Swagman. These were men who during the depression tramped the country side with their few possession in a swag on their back. The english translation would be similar to a tramp.
5) Answer. Don't tell me you have not, run off and left your mum to do the washing up of all the dirty dishes after a meal. Shoot through means leave suddenly. This line means load the presents into the car and leave before the washing up is done.
6) Answer. No. The normal attire is as shown where he is sitting beside a billabong (water hole) with his boots and sox off, cooling his feet.


Go to http://users.tpg.com.au/sharenet/c/jinglebells.html for more

Originally posted by Howard
[B]Our version of "Jingle Bells". It is changed dramatically because, obviously, a) we have no snow, b) we have no bells. But we do have plenty of Jingle.
Rather than recall the lyrics by memory, I checked out the following website to lift the lyrics. The story with it may be of interest...

]

Gee Howard, GUESS what I'm singing right now??? Yes ... ajm singing those lyrics. Couldn't resist

Karmen