The Warrior’s Holiday

The holidays are upon us

And Christmas is drawing near
But for far too many Families
There won’t be a “Happy New Year”.

Their loved ones are off at War

In some far-off foreign land
Some of them are gone forever
Not at all, what they had planned.

Many of them, “weekend Warriors”

Who planned Serving in their hometown
Some promised one Tour of Duty
But sent for one more “turn-a-round”.

There are numbers to toss about

But to those Families just, that ”One”
As they Pray for a safe return
And the day that War is done.

They all go and do their Duty

Find a special camaraderie
Which only those in Battle know
Become part of their Family.

But, it really isn’t quite the same

Especially, on that Christmas Day
They think of loved ones back at home
Who send Prayers and Love their way.

Another New Year is coming soon

Another one we’ll be at War
And one more Holiday Season
That won’t be like it was before.

Especially if you’re a lucky one

Who doesn’t live with that haunting fear
Think of all those who Sacrifice
And hope it will be better next year.

If you know a Service Family

With either Blue or a Gold Star
Take a moment to thank them
Show them how grateful that you are.

When you see a Military Uniform

Proudly coming toward your way
 Give a Salute, say, “Thank you!”
For the price they have to pay.

As we Celebrate these Holidays

Shared with Friends and Family
Remember those who went to War
So we all can have our Liberty.

Let us hope for an end to War

So that each and every day
We can rejoice and celebrate
The Warrior’s Holiday.

11.20.06

Christmas With The Status Quo

We lost forty two in just ten days

With countless loved ones and friends
Who will mourn instead of celebrate
Past, when this Christmas Season ends.

That’s one hundred twenty-six per month

More than fifteen hundred for a year
If this trend continues or gets worse
It’s something, all of us should fear.

That’s not counting all those wounded

Plus all the billions we will spend
While we shake our heads and ask,
“Will this madness never end?”

If you don’t have a loved one fighting

It’s easier to just follow along
And even if you have one over there
It’s hard to say, “This War is wrong!”

Some will say it’s un-American

If you don’t want some more to die
Or say you don’t support our Troops
If you should dare to question, “WHY!”

Some say we’ll lose our credibility

If we should choose to, “Cut and run.”
As if they trust and like us over there
We’ll just make it worse before we’re done.

To date, almost three thousand killed

 Twenty two thousand with the wounds of War
And countless more scarred in their minds
And we’ll sacrifice, how many more?

Fifty thousand, more or less

Of the Iraqi civilians dead
And are they worse or better off
Where would they be, in its stead?

Three hundred fifty billion spent

For the so-called freedom in a land
Where killing those who disagree
Is all, most those people understand.

Although it’s not very likely

We will ever be without War
Because of the almighty dollar
For that’s what most Wars are really for.

All we can do is hope and pray

As our history runs its course
But there is much more we COULD do
To have Peace, each of us is the source.

Most all of us will do nothing

And go with the old status quo
And unless we try to change things
We will surely never, ever know.

So, this Christmas Season send a wish

To each and every Hero over there
That next year at Christmas time
They’ll be back home with those who care.

12.11.2006

That Special Kind - Third War Christmas And Counting

Since the Birth of our Nation

We have sent our Young to War
To do Battle for our Freedoms
For Truth, and Right, and More.

We take them from their Families

And send them all around the World
To show all the other Peoples
How, Freedom’s flag’s unfurled.
 They’re sent with a wealth of knowledge
That they carry and spread well
Our Ambassadors to others
With a story only, they can tell.

So, as we bask in our lifestyles

And gather ‘round the Christmas Tree
Let’s say a Prayer and Give Thanks
To those who make us Free.

Let’s bring them all Home for a moment

And hold them in our Heart and Mind
For each and every one’s a Hero
And each, one of a very Special kind.

12-11-2003

Update 2004

I wrote that one for last year

With a wish that was for naught
That maybe they'd be Home for this year
But, guess that was just a silly thought.

We've lost more than we care to count

And have sent even more across the Sea
To try to show another People how to live
In a way they may or may not want to be.

But we send our Sons and Daughters

Moms and Dads, Sisters and Bros
To spend another Christmas Holiday away
And for how many more, who knows?

So, no matter what our feelings are

About this War they're sent to Fight
Let's keep them All in our thoughts and prayers
On this Christmas Eve and every other night.
12-16-2004

Update 2005

Well, here it is another year

Has come and gone again
The casualties keep mounting
And patience is growing thin.

Each day we add more Heroes

 And more Families who mourn
Who will never again celebrate
As they once did on Christmas morn.

Most have served more than one Tour

And there seems to be no end in sight
But they step up and do their job
And they do it Proud and Right.

Maybe next will be the year

When we get to bring them Home
And we can thank them, face to face
For the Bravery they’ve shown.

It’s no way to spend the Holidays

And we all wish we could do more
To have them all home once again
And bring an ending to this War.

But it’s up to those politicians

And all those powers that be
To make those Families whole again
As they gather ‘round the Christmas tree.

And for those who don’t do Christmas

This Wish is as much, for them too
To live in Peace on Earth with Freedom
The way the Human Race could do.

Del "Abe" Jones

12-18-2005

Star Of Hope

They came to pray, on Christmas Day

When, the Christ Child was born –
They came to see, Virgin Mary
Bear hope for the forlorn.

Some from afar, followed that star

Though why, they were not sure –
At great expense, brought frankincense –
Gifts of, spices and myrrh.

They gathered ‘round, as if spellbound –

Their eyes lit by the glow –
For, from the bed, o’er Jesus’ head
 There was a bright halo.

That Child did things, to poor and kings

With the gaze of His eye –
He gave some hope, helped others cope
And some, He made them cry.

Down on their knees, they said, "Lord, please

Stop pain and suffering.
Make all on Earth, of the same worth
With the joy, that you can bring."

"Please teach of love, from God above

Shared by each fellow man.
Show us the way, what we must say
To fit the Heavenly plan."

He tried for years, to end mans’ fears –

Brought miracles each day –
He taught His word, (not always heard)
And for our souls, He’d pray.

But, it seems greed, had sown its’ seed

For some, ‘twas much too late.
And though He cared and, always shared
The Cross had sealed His fate.

Now, all mankind, for being blind

Must someday, pass the test.
But, if lived right, both day and night
Mans’ future could be blessed.

So Christmas Day, take time to pray

To bow your head and see
That God above, will send His love
For all eternity.

Christmas

Merry Christmas to all

And Happy New Year, too
As we all say, farewell
To this year almost, through.

We wish you good health

Happiness and cheer
And all the best things
 In, the new, coming year.

We wish peace for the world

And true freedom for all
For the Devil and hate
A final, downfall..

We hope those filled with greed

Will find they have enough
That love and friendship
Will replace all that "stuff".

We hope the homeless and hungry

Find relief from their plight
(And we know they would
if, we’d all do what’s right).

We wish a life for the Children

That, will be worth living
Each with loving parents
Who know, the art of giving.

Colorblind would be fine

And respect for our Brother
An end to Religions
That believe, there’s no other.

We wish Mankind united

In one common cause
To root out all evil
To, make it, what was.

We hope all who have passed

Find peace, in their New World
And that the Stars & Stripes
Will fly proud, unfurled.

We hope we’ll care for our Earth

Quit polluting this place
Before it’s too late
For the Human Race.

So Merry Christmas to all

And to all a good night
And on this Christmas Eve
Let’s vow, to do right.
 Christmas Morn

I’m not with the ones I love

(Except, in heart and mind)
I can’t touch, but I can feel
Joy, of a special kind.

Glad to know that they are safe

And share this Christmas Day
Unlike so many others
Whose loved ones have passed away.

It’s been a year of turmoil

Of sadness and new fears
Of watching and sharing
Far too many tears.

Our Country and the world

Has seen, the worst of worst
From people, whose hearts and minds
Seem to have been cursed.

Maybe a blessing in disguise

That brought people together
Standing side by side
To face the stormy "weather".

Things have been rearranged

Into a different list
Starting with a lot of things
That used to be dismissed.

Bonds of love and friendship

In all different walks of life
Are sprouting from the rubble
Of this worlds’ strife.

Maybe peace and goodwill

Toward our fellow man
Really is a part
Of the Heavenly plan.

Hopefully, the New Year

Will bring us even more
Of fellowship and kindness
 We never, knew before.

So, this Christmas morning

For those alone or lost
There is hope in the future
That will be worth the cost.

Let’s pray for all those fallen

And those standing proud and tall
For health and peace for all mankind
And our loved ones, most of all.

All Of God’s Creatures

It s the morning of Christmas

And all through my house
Not a creature was stirring
Cept that pesky mouse.

I can hear him scurrying

Up over my bed
And if I d caught him
He d surely be dead.

But, since it s Christmas

I put out some cheese
And I ll let him eat
All that he please.

Guess the seasons mood

Has made me go soft
Even towards that mouse
Up there in the loft.

He s one of Gods creature

And I m not to say
That he s not a place
In the earthly way.

There s lots of things

We don t understand
Why He put them here
Or fit in His plan.

Ours is not to question

Wondering, Why?
About all those things
That walk, crawl, swim, and fly.
 We’ve already forced
Some to be extinct
And if we keep on
We’ll be on that brink.

So here s to Gods creatures

The great, and small
For I know, without them
The world ends, that s all.

12-25-00

A Christmas Dream

A clatter on the rooftop

In the dark of Christmas Eve
Eyes peek from neath the covers
Filled with stories they believe.

Wondering if they have been good

And if Dear Old Santa knows?
Hoping his bag is full of toys for them
As anticipation grows.

Ears straining in the silence

To hear Santa at the tree
Fighting back the temptation
To slip out of bed and see.

Hearing the, Ho, ho, ho.

As he gets back on his sleigh
Mingled with reindeers hoofbeats
They hear, Up, up and away.

Eyes opened wide on Christmas morn

At the first dawning light
Hoping they were not a dream
Those sounds heard in the night.

Sounds Of Christmas

There is music of the holidays

Playing on the radio
There is Christmas decorations
Almost everywhere you go.
 The Salvation Army bells
Ring out for the poor
The Ho, ho, ho of Santa Claus
In the department stores.

Carolers sing Christmas songs

Going, house to house
Tales about, where no one stirs
Not even, a mouse.

Hoofbeats in fresh fallen snow

Pulling, an open sleigh
Children asking Mom and Dad
Is Santa on his way?

Cracklin’ from the fireplace

Roasting chestnuts neath the coals
The soft murmur of prayers
Said, for the lost souls.

Friends and family gather

To toast, Christmas cheer
There is sounds of angels singing
If, you really want to hear.

The sounds of Christmas, fill the air

As we celebrate His birth
Wishing joy, to all mankind
And peace to all on earth.

My Christmas Tree

My Christmas tree still grows

In the forest neath the sky
Branches bowed with decorations
Unseen by the naked eye.

The kinds of ornaments

You can’t buy in any store
Made from recollections
From Christmases of yore.

Nights spent till wee hours

Pulling those toys together
Going late for batteries
Into the wintry weather.

The flushed excited faces

 The wide eyes filled with glee
Some old memories of times
That excited child was me.

Friends and family dropping by

With loads of Christmas cheer
When leaving shouting wishes
For a Happy New Year.

Memories of quiet eves

Spent in front of the fire
A hot toddy or two
That would make us perspire.

But friends and family move

And some may go away
But they’ve a place in my heart
On every Christmas day.

And those kids of yesteryear

Suddenly are grown
They find mates get married
Have families of their own .

Christmas decorations
Need not sparkle and shine
For memories bring a beauty
Of a very special kind .

Though I may be alone

And my Christmas tree looks bare
That’s not really true
Cause of those memories we share.

Christmas Senses

Christmas trees with twinkling lights

Sparkling tinsel spread around
Ornaments and decorations
On the green boughs, hanging down.

A wreath of holy on the outside

Mistletoe above the door
Sounds of those Christmas carols
Telling tales of Christmas lore.

Presents wrapped in shiny paper

 Tied with pretty ribbons bows
The wonder in wee ones eyes
As their anticipation grows.

The chill crispness of the air

Falling crystals of white snow
The family gathered round the hearth
Warmed by the crackling glow.

Eggnog topped with nutmeg

The pies, candies and cakes
The aroma from the kitchen
Of the oven as it bakes.

A birthday celebration
For that someone up above
Thought and wishes round the earth
For a world of peace and love.

Its too bad it cant be Christmas

With all its hope and cheer
Its too bad life cant be lived
Like this day, all through the year.

Christmas Eve

This time of year the church bells ring

And carolers on corners, sing
Of gifts of love and peace and cheer
And a happy, prosperous New Year.

This time of year the children’s glee

At sitting there on Santa’s knee
And telling him, when they believe
What he should bring on Christmas Eve.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa, I’m older

But, still believe in you
(At least, I believe in
The things you try, to do).

Maybe, I can’t ask for

A Tonka, or, a train.
(But, if you’d bring one of them
 You know, I won’t complain).

But, what I really wish for

Is a special present
Love that can’t "returned"
Once it has been sent.

Everybody needs a little

And some, need a lot
But, if you get a tiny bit
You still know what you got.

So Santa, drop a little

Under each Christmas tree
Then, all will get a present
From what it’s ‘posed to be.

And if there is no tree

For the alone, and poor
When you get, to their place
Just, drop, a little more.

The Night Before

Twas the night before Christmas

All alone in my bed
Where those visions of you
Danced in my head.

It was dark, it was cold

Close to midnight, about
When, I sprang from my bed
And gave out a shout.

I called out your name

To hear it's sweet sound
Knowing there'd be no answer
'Cause, you weren't around.

I tried hard to remember

The last Christmas we'd spent
Before I let you go
And my life went, hell-bent.

But, the memories are dimmed

By the blur of the drink
 That I use, to forget
So I won't have to think.

'Bout the night before Christmas

All alone in my bed
But, those visions of you
Still dance, in my head.

On A Spree

The World is in turmoil

There's War everywhere
People starving and homeless
And so few seem to care.

It’s not their kid who’s dying

In someplace across the sea
Or who is mere skin and bones
With no one to hear their plea.

Some people are too busy

Out spending their money
To try to outdo others
If not sad, it would be funny.

Some began it months ago

Swiping that plastic, credit card
There’s some will never pay it off
And for most, it will be hard.

Then there are those people

Who want, “politically correct”
Who want, “Happy Holidays”
(What else would you expect?)

They can’t leave well enough alone

The way it’s always been for years
They say it might offend someone
And there’s some other stupid fears.

Peace and Goodwill are evasive

And they will most likely never be
As long as the rich get richer
From War and the Christmas spending spree.

Next Years' Christmas

 That old Christmas time is coming -
It's once more, that time of year
But, it will be like Christmas past -
Filled with lonliness and fear -
I'll sit quiet, think about you
And those times we used to share -
Except for the memories 'neath it
My tree in the corner's bare -
It used to shine and sparkle -
Strung 'round with twinklin' lights
That shone on the love we made
On, those Merry Christmas nights -
There were gaily colored packages
Piled high, around it's base -
But, that was a world ago -
A much happier time and place -
If there were a Santa Claus
I know just what I'd do
I'd get on my knees and beg him
To bring back the love we knew -
I'd fill his bag up with love
'Til it was overflowing -
Send it to you, so you could see
All that my heart is showing-
So, I'll make the same ol' wish this Christmas
That, sometime soon, in this New Year
You'll bring your love, back to me
And that, next Christmas, you'll be here.

Christmas Mind

Just sittin' and a-thinkin'

Of the holiday cheer
And knowin' it is different
For some reason, this year.

Though, you're going to be gone

And I may be all alone
Thoughts of you will brighten it
With your soft and warm light, shone.

Each moment that I spend with you

Lights a light upon a bough
Before, my tree was dim and drab
But you ought to see it now!
 Its' lights are all a-twinkle
The star on top shines bright
And in the picture of my mind
I'll be with you on christmas night.

Holidays Again?

The day before the start

Of, the holidays
And so many people take them
In so many, different ways.

For some, they are the best

And for some, they're the worst
For, some of us are blessed
And, some of us are cursed.

For some, it's about family

And for some, about their friends
Some, anxious to get started
Some, can't wait, till it ends.

The Christmas decorations

Started, after Halloween
And the dollars started spending
For, the "sales" we have seen.

Some think, they can buy "it|"

For some, it's in their heart
For some, it is the ending
And for some, a brand-new start.

For some it's just, another day

To make the old year end
For some, it's for, what they can get
And for some, what they can send.

For some, it's religious

For some, the depths of Hell
For some, to get "ill"
And for some, to get well.

But, no matter how it strikes you

Brings you up, or makes you blue
It's just another time of year
 We'll manage, to get through.

Del “Abe” Jones

CHRISTMAS 2002

Merry Christmas to all

And Happy New Year, too
As we all say, farewell
To, two thousand and two.

I wish you good health

Happiness and cheer
And all the best things
In, the new, coming year.

I wish peace for the world

And true freedom for all
For the Devil and hate
A final, downfall..

I hope those filled with greed

Will find they have enough
That love and friendship
Will replace all that “stuff”.

I hope the homeless and hungry

Find relief from their plight
(And I know they would
If, we’d all do what’s right).

I wish a life for the Children

That, will be worth living
Each with loving parents
Who know, the art of giving.

Colorblind would be fine

And respect for our Brother
An end to Religions
That believe, there’s no other.

I wish Mankind united

In one common cause
To root out all evil
To, make it, what was.
 I hope all who have passed
Find peace, in their New World
And that the Stars & Stripes
Will fly proud, unfurled.

I hope we’ll care for our Earth

Quit polluting this place
Before it’s too late
For the Human Race.

So Merry Christmas to all

And to all a good night
And on this Christmas Eve
Let’s vow, to do right.

Del “Abe” Jones

12-24-2002