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