Canadian Peacekeeper's Christmas
We have received the following poem from various sources and therefore feel it is appropriate to publish it. We have left it in the original language because it's a parody of a well-known original ...

Le Noel du gardien de la paix canadien
On a recu le poème suivant de plusieurs sources différentes. Il convient donc de le publier ici.
On l'a laissé dans sa langue d'origine, car il s'agit d'une parodie d'un poème traditionnel en anglais ...

Weihnachten bei der kanadischen Friedenstruppe
Das folgene Gedicht haben wir aus verschiedenen Quellen zugesendet bekommen.
Passend zur Weihnachtzeit veröffentlichen wir es, haben es aber in der Originalsprache belassen,
da es um eine Parodie von einem berühmten englischen Traditionsgedicht handelt ...
T'was the night before Christmas,
he lived all alone,
in a one-bedroom house,
made of plaster and stone.

I'd come down the chimney,
with presents to give,
and to see just who
in this home did live.

I looked all about,
a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents,
not even a tree.

No stocking by the mantle,
just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures,
of a far-distant land.

With medals and badges,
awards of all kinds,
a sober thought,
came through my mind.

For this house was different,
it was dark and dreary,
I'd found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone,
curled up on the floor,
in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,
the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured,
a Canadian soldier.

Was this the hero,
of whom I'd just read?,
curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?

I realized the families,
that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers,
who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world,
the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate,
a bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom,
each month of the year,
because of the soldiers,
like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder,
how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve,
in a land far from home.

The very thought brought,
a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees,
and started to cry.

The soldier awakened,
and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry,
this life is my choice.

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
my life is "my God,
my country, my corps".

The soldier rolled over,
and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still,
and we both shivered,
from the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave,
on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honour,
so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over,
with a voice, soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa,
it's Christmas Day, all is secure."

One look at my watch,
and I knew he was right,
"Merry Christmas my friend,
and to all a good night!"
This poem was written by a Canadian peace-keeping soldier stationed overseas. The following is his request. We think it is reasonable. PLEASE, would you do me the kind favour of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our Canadian service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed, remember our freedom and who really provides it.