Christmas Contact(silent night)

In a home in suburban eutopia,
Children lay awake feigning sleep,
Listening for tell tale footfalls.
As around their parents creep.

Eventually fatigue will win,
They will fade away to dreams.
While mom prepares meats and delicacies,
Dad slices up the greens.

Smiles on faces and pats on bums,
Delicate like Wings of doves.
Just once a year for merry cheer
To celebrate all they love

Leap two thousand miles or more from here,
If it were possible and such a thing could be.
To an outpost on the edge of no man's land,
There sits a little, plastic Christmas tree.

It's decoration meagre,
It has not one single twinkling light.
The men who slumber round about it,
Won't be singing hymns this night.

That tree was sent by loved ones,
In an attempt to bring some cheer.
The letter that accompanied it ends,
"we wish that you were here"

One man sits awake, alert.
For it is time to take his turn,
Gently humming silent night.
As the wireless buzzes and it whirrs

He sits and sips his rat pack tea,
Trying to force away the cold.
Part of his brain focused for a contact,
Part forever missing home!

The chatter becomes alive and flowing
And the solider has a thing to choose.
"Hands of co€ks put on your socks
"Q.R.F STAND TO"

The men startle and grab their weapons,
As urgent words come through the wire.
On stroke of midnight, that dreaded call,
"Zero this is bravo one"

"SHOTS FIRED"

Foot note rat pack tea is ration pack. Q.R.F =Quick reaction force