Dark December

That day in December I will never forget
I will live my life will one regret
I never told you what you meant to me
Blue eyes, blonde hair I will never again see
What happened is horrible it ended your life
To think this man he made you his wife
My best friend is gone and I miss her dearly
I still talk to her, I hope she can hear me
Gretch, I miss you, I always will
I will never forget that day in December when time stood still.

D. Martin

~This is the first of several poems I wrote about my friends death and domestic violence after she was murdered by her husband. ~

Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas,
he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom home made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chiminey with presents to give
and to see just whom in this house did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight did I see.
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land,
with medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came to mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary.
I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see.
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 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 enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't 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 is the life of 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, and continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,
and we both shivered from the cold winter'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, whispered with a voice soft and pure,
"Carry on Santa, It's Christmas day and all is secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right,

Merry Christmas to All and to All A Good Night

9 11 A Year Later

A young girl stood in church today
Simple, powerful words she had to say
"A year ago these pews were full
Cause other to us had been so cruel
We came to churches and asked God why?
Why do so many innocent have to die?
Now the rows are empty the congregation gone
Fewer voices each week praise Him in song
Did they forget, or don't they care?
There are men and women over there
They put on uniforms, they stand and fight
So we can be safe every day, every night
Have we forgotten God as time has gone on
Do we only need him when things go wrong?"
The little girl sat and looked around
And my heart was warmed by what I found
Friends and family standing strong and true
American's who understand God's hand
In the Red, the White, and the Blue.

D. Martin

Memorial Day

Better late than never.........

Mike and I did get a chance to leave some flowers on her headstone this year. For those of you who could not go with us, we took you there in spirit. Just as she is with us everyday...........

All things being equal

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Don't know if then men are ready to see the women go this far to be equal in protecting and defending the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic!