‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: A Poem for My Hero

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: A Poem for My Hero

                          By Betsy Bursey
                       December 24, 2010

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
All the people were thinking of what they had planned
Presents and laughter and family and food
Excitement and joy was the dominant mood

Children tucked safely in bed, sound asleep
Were dreaming of presents piled in a heap
Parents and grandparents by the fire as it glowed
Looked out on the beautiful, glistening snow

I glanced out the window at the calm, silent night
And was filled with wonder at the peaceful sight
As the hour grew late and sleep beckoned me
I found myself down on bended knee

Outside it was dark, but for the yellow moon
As I thought of my son and his brave platoon
Their day was beginning as mine came to an end
So my fervent prayer up to God I did send

Protect them, I pled, from the seen and unseen
From mortars and firefights and IED’s
Give endurance and strength and courage today
To those who are fighting half a world away

I prayed for my Hero and those by his side
As they stood strong and brave with American pride
I prayed for the families they’d each left behind
And asked God to give them all peace of mind

As I knelt there in silence, his dogtags in my hand
Thinking of my soldier in that faraway land
I whispered his name and as I always do,
Added words he counts on, “Be safe, love you”