By Ronald Ostroff, December 3, 2020 — It was the night before Christmas. He lived all alone, in a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone. To see just in[side] the home [where he] did live, I looked all about – [it was] a strange sight to see; [there was] no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. [There was] no stocking by the mantel, only boots full of dust. And on the wall, [there were] pictures of far distant lands. A sobering thought came to my mind, for this home. [It was] a different [home], dark and dreary — the home of a soldier I could see clearly.
A soldier lay sleeping silently [and] alone, covered up on the floor in this bedroom curled. The favorites I saw this and called [it] enjoyed freedom.
I did leave a dark cold night. I dropped to my knees and started to cry. A soldier awakened and heard a rough voice: “O fight for freedom!”
I kept [the] water for [silence] and still then the soldiers rolled over so still.
Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.