http://www.blogher.com/christmas-iraq Comments for "Christmas in Iraq" en http://www.blogher.com/christmas-iraq <p>If you know a military family who has a family member serving overseas, please feel free to pass this poem on.</p> <p>I wrote it in 2003 when my son Derek was serving in Iraq during the beginning of the war. He's there again, but things are a little better now, at least in his area--the troops are better equipped, they have good food to eat (instead of MREs and heating up the microwave meals sent from home on the stone walls. Did you know that they could get those warm enough to eat in about 10 minutes when the temperatures were 120 to 140 degrees?), and he can email home. While my feelings about the war remained conflicted between supporting the troops and not agreeing with our current administration, the poem still speaks to how many soldiers feel about their mission, and about their commitment to serving their country.</p> <p>Christmas in Iraq</p> <p>The hot sand is blowing<br /> the sky inky black<br /> Not much like Christmas<br /> for the soldier in Iraq</p> <p>The temperature's over 100 degrees<br /> Sweat runs down his back and behind his knees<br /> Danger is everywhere<br /> Keep your eyes on your back<br /> It's not much like Christmas<br /> for the soldier in Iraq</p> <p>There's no joy in this world<br /> No angels on high<br /> only missiles and anti-aircraft<br /> guns light up the sky<br /> No, it's not much like Christmas<br /> For the soldier in Iraq</p> <p>But his folks send a package<br /> of presents and treats<br /> His mother writes "a little of Christmas<br /> in that desert heat."<br /> He smiles as each item<br /> comes out of the pack<br /> Yes, a little of Christmas<br /> for the soldier in Iraq</p> <p>He finds pictures of his kids,<br /> his father and mother,<br /> unrolls a golf magazine<br /> sent by his brother<br /> cookies and brownies add to the stack<br /> Just a little of Christmas<br /> for the soldier in Iraq</p> <p>Back home his children<br /> nestle snug in their beds<br /> no visions of missiles<br /> dance in their heads<br /> His folks are all safe<br /> and far from this hell<br /> The young man stands<br /> and straightens his back<br /> For that he'll spend Christmas--<br /> Christmas in Iraq.</p> <p>Susanna Holstein</p> http://www.blogher.com/christmas-iraq#comments Life Christmas iraq soldiers sons Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:50:04 -0600 grannysu 31387 at http://www.blogher.com