T'was 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 friends to give
And to see just who,
In this home, I 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 disorder,
Not how I pictured,
A true Indian 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 were willing to fight.
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 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 soldiers 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 did not want to live,
On that cold, dark, night,
This guardian of honour,
So willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled
Over,
With a soft voice 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
Indian Army soldier stationed overseas.
The following is his request and I think it is reasonable.
"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 the 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.
* Do, your part to plant this small seed".
Tailpiece.
Got up at 6, opened up the house. Had our morning cuppa tea soon after.
The caretaker bought us our breakfast. Murali came by a trifle after a half past 9, fixed up our Christmas star.
We were off to Padmakumar's house, bit of yakkittiyak and had lunch. Off to Tvpm by 1. The roads were full of traffic; reached the Foundation by a quarter past 3.
Met everyone. The Aazhchakkoottam started at a half past 4. Left by 5.
At Kottarakkara, topped up the Chevy, pulled out some money from the ATM and collected our new set top box.
Dropped Rema back at Pidavoor and were back at the Raj Nivas by a quarter past 9.
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