His house may have been made
Of plaster and stone
This God fearing soldier
Lived not alone

What good old Saint Nick
Had yet to see
Were his precious keepsakes
His women, three

Though Holiday spirit
Seemed to be lacking
It didn't look like Santa
Should be snacking

No cookies, or candy canes
Littered the house
Only plain breadcrumbs
Fit for a mouse

The hard earned medallions
Hung proudly on the wall
All of his accomplishments
For Saint Nick to recall

This house was indeed different
Though not dark, nor dreary
Through the Smirnoff Ice
Santa couldn't see clearly

While missing a few luxuries
Maybe a bed and a kitchen of chrome
What this Soldier did have
Was a happy home

Not riding a horse or clothed in red
Not even offered a pension plan
What did Santa expect
From this sleeping man?

Decorations aside,
Material things put away
If life was measured in love
Than this Soldier was doing okay

It was for families and freedom
That they risked their lives
Santa could see now
For unborn children and unmarried wives

The night ticked away
Christmas day would soon break
The doves would soon coo
And the children soon wake

A lifetime of happiness and warmth
Was owed to these men
These battle worn angels
Asleep in their den

Though in a strange land
And many alone
To a home in their dreams
Their sleeping mind's flown

Perhaps it was the alcohol
That made Santa cry
But it was all Santa could do
Not to hug the guy

His voice sobered Santa
So calm and direct
"I didn't think you were real...
I mean no disrespect.

The gifts that you give
To young girls and boys
Gifts from the heart
Their favourites books and toys..."

His voice trailed
As the Soldier fell back asleep
Soon the house was silent
There wasn't a peep

The Soldier before him
Had opened Saint Nick's eyes
It seemed war had done much
To make this man wise

Though he didn't have much
The Soldier was rich
His treasure however
Wasn't buried in a ditch

But deep in his heart
Where all he wanted was peace
No more war and famine
He wanted the hate to cease

Santa left the Soldier fast asleep
Marveling at how beautiful one person can be
As he finished his rounds on that Christmas Eve
The world was a wonderful place; he'd have to agree...