A Soldier's Night Before Christmas - A Christmas Poem

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the tent

Not a soldier was stirring, not even Captain Kent.

The rifles weren't nestled, all snug in their beds,

While visions of family and friends danced in their heads.

And Joe in his worry, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains from shooting along the map.

When out in the dunes there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my nap to see what was the matter.

Away to the tent I flew like a flash,

Tore open the flap, and saw Joe had a gash.

The moon on the breast of the new and injured fellow

Gave the luster of rouge to the man below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a series of rifle men amidst my fear.

With a great big tank, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment I must do something even though I was feeling sick.

More rapid than eagles, my compatriots came,

And the enemy whistled and shouted and called us insulting names.

"We will hurt you before you can hit us with your lancers!

" We will maim you and will take your women dancers!

" On, today, tomorrow and years to come!"

" On which you'll never see us coming as we throw many a bomb!"

" To the top of your skyscrapers!"

" To the top of your historical papers!"

" Now die! Now die!"

"Every infidel shall fall!"

As angry as when as that wild Katrina hurricane flew,

When they met with us, each one of them began to die.

So up to the air their bodies did flew,

With an regiment filled with men, women, girls and boys, who would not stand for the Iraqi's ploys.

And then in a twinkling, I heard on that tank

The clapping and praying to God on that roof.

As I drew in my head and was turning around,

Down that sandy hill I saw a sudden cheer that was new found.

The tank was dressed all in American valour, from head to foot,

And their hearts were all hopeful with sounds of relief and a series of tears that fell on each mans foot.

A bundle of bullets had swam through half the men's backs,

But that didn't deter us from taking the enemy's weakening flack.

Our eyes-how they twinkled! Our dimples, how merry!

Our cheeks were like roses, our nose like a cherry!

Our droll little mouths were thirsty by beating a relentless foe,

And our stomachs were hungry for holiday cheer, even for something wrapped in a bow.

The lumps in our throats were held as tight as our teeth,

As on our way back we rode to headquarters in the tank covered with a wreath.

We had broad faces and full of hungry bellies,

That were satisfied with the promise of cream filled pies and cookies topped with jelly.

The food made us feel chubby and plump, many a right jolly old elves,

And we laughed when we ate them, in spite of ourselves.

A wink of our eyes and a twist of our heads

Soon gave me to know we had nothing more to dread.

We spoke not a word, for we understood the benefits of our work,

By filling all the innocents hearts, both from American and in Iraq.

And laying his finger aside of his forehead,

And giving a nod, for the country our commander rose.

He put his other hand over his heart, to his team gave a thanks,

And up they all stood like they were in their patriotic military ranks.

But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he walked out of sight,

"God bless America, and to all for whom we fight!"