The feeling of comfort was not always so
the feeling of comfort is relatively new
I feel safer in my armor, standing stiffly aloof
These **** people
want me to feel the cloth around their skin
so obsessed with lounging
unaccustomed to wearing things in,
thickening one's skin, and seeking scars
This to me, is all life is
Why coddle yourself in luscious membranes?
You fought outta the womb for a reason
What made you stop climbing?

From Amiens upon the Somme
Across the land into the Salient
Our brave men toed the ebbing line

Through wire and mines
Through mud and blood
Through many men and horses shred
Under sun and moon
Through wet and flake
Little rest they won as they fought
The testing yards and inching miles

The scent of death clear in their heads
Their nostrils burning from hell resent
Cauterised wounds some munition singed a deathly end for some
Their eyes by night a blazing fired earth of blues Oranges yellows Reds

Their ears ringing whistles and drums
A sense of booming dread as all around the melee continued
Death by death, Man by man, Son by son
Precious sons many in numbers they did succumb
To the battle cry of walk not run

Blood curdling in their gas filled lungs
Fungi in their rotting boots
Sweat and tears in itchy suits
Muscles aching tendons taught
Nerves for some as they were next
To mount and face the hidden land
Where fate would deal its dreaded blow
On to meet the dreadful wall of death

Choice was none, no turning back
They stood as force though force would guide, those of fear and wisdom's stand,
Over, or rest where shot by those by order for descent


© Robert Kingston 17.10.14

On the eleventh day
Of the eleventh month
At the eleventh hour
Silence rings out loudly
As free people stand
In silent tribute
Heads down
And Chest out proudly

When the silence rules the land
What is inside your head
Are you thinking of those who lived
Are you thinking of the dead
The silence is a moment
To be thankful to be free
To reflect upon the price paid
For the unborn, you, and me

When the silence rules the land
Truly, do what's right
Think of those who aren't here
Those who've gone into the light
Think, would I ever do this
Could I do what these men did
They died as men, as soldiers
When they left, most...still a kid

On the eleventh day
Of the eleventh month
At the eleventh hour
When you stand and wait
Think of all those soldiers
Who passed the pearly gates
Think, of all your treasures
And, think....my life is quite nice
Because freedom isn't free to have
Freedom comes with a high price

As Santa your hear lots of things

of what children want as gifts

Some can't tell me what they want

But I think I get their drifts

They'll ask for dolls and games and stuff

And they'll ask me really  nice

It's not hard to find their favorite gift

since it's one they'll mention twice.

One year I had a bunch of kids

who came in to the mall

And until I met this one group

I thought I'd seen it all

I've done this job for twenty years

And things might seem the same

The toys out there that are alike

one that has another name

The kids all stay consistent

And many scream and  many cry

Although you know I just don't know

Though I've oftern wondered why

The girls want dolls, the boys want guns

And all of them forget

That the real meaning of Christmas is

the one they've not learned yet

They walk around and stop and stare

Before they get in line

Then they still act slightly nervous

Although they really know it's fine

to sit upon this strangers lap

And tell him your desires

For this man has Christmas Magic

And it's all that he requires.

Well, one year I sat and watched some kids

as they walked about the store

I saw them first at one o'clock

And now it's nearly four,

For three full hours they all watched

As other children cried

Two got in the line one time

But one stood to the side.

More time passed before this group

Came to share their Christmas list

But nary one child spoke a word

I thought, "there's something here I've missed"

I gave them each a candy cane

And I asked about some toys

I talked about some dolls and games

And things that made strange noise

But, they stood and stared quite thoughtfully

And they didn't make a sound

I looked to see if in the back

Their parents were around

When all at once the three stepped forth

and all held out one hand

And in their unfurled fingers

They held a plastic army man

A woman then stepped forward

saying "Santa, they won't speak"

"They've all been silent since last May"

"They've not spoken since that week"

"They just know their father's left them

and they think that it's their fault

that their father isn't here at home

And their crying just won't halt"

I pulled the children closer

And I said I'd do the best I can

To get them what they wanted

A real live soldier man

The little one stepped forward

And she didn't make a fuss

When she said " Santa Claus can you please...

I want  a soldier for Christmas!"

I knew I couldn't help her

But I said that he'd be back

When he'd finished all his service

He return home from Iraq.

It was then you know it hit me

Christmas meant much more than toys

There was one thing more important

To this little girl than toys

Now when children stand there silent

and they stare and look at me

And they stand there like a statue

I just think about these three

Who wanted something special

Something nobody could buy

And I hope they gottheir soldier

And he's safe home, by and by.

I hope our soldiers all get home

And they're safe and are alright

Now, Merry Christmas to all

And to all a good night!