? ? ? Bring Me Home On Christmas Day ? ? ? Poem by Connie Tallada

You are preparing for a long holiday vacation
I am getting ready for a deployment anytime soon
You are packing your bag on your way home
I am here all packed-up for a year-long roam
You call your mom and tell her you are coming
I call Mama and say sorry I can't come for Christmas again

You board your plane smiling all-out with your boarding pass
I board our aircraft and look back for one last glance
You are jumping with joy as your feet touches the arrival ground
I am trying to be brave examining the new atmosphere around
You lie down on your bed overwhelm to be home at last
I fix my tent silently praying for the deployment to end fast

You can feel the Christmas Spirit in every corner around you
I can feel nothing but coldness of surrounding view
You go to church for the midnight mass and sing Christmas hymn
I go searching in the mountain with my seven-man team
You are counting down to celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus
I am counting my breath for any possible surprise from the dusk

You excitedly exchange gifts with your love-ones and family
I fear for the possible exchange of fire from unknown enemy
You eat, dance, celebrate and greet everyone warmly
I shiver on dewdrops, standing still, fighting my fear bravely
You say, 'Thank you Santa for bringing me home for Christmas day'
I pray, ' Santa, could you bring me home next Christmas day? '