a poem for christmas

praises sing and night bells ring

all around this precious thing

places and faces and midnight races

all the while the nomad braces

more and more the onslaught rages

in the wind all ripped out pages

find me now  -  oh lord of love

we seek and pray thy long lost dove

will peace upon the land yet stand

must heart still face the burning brand

on and on the rage does rush

the bonds of shame a mighty crush

still the flame  -  it has not died

tho bled and fed on brutal pride

so far we hold the beach head slightly 

no longer bold and brave and mighty

battered troops once fresh and rested

now reel and waver  -  nearly bested

the hope that once so filled the heart

still lives  -  yet in the smallest part

tho battered  -  scarred and mortal weary

at dawn we stand to face the fury

no longer brave we could be called

but no  -  by god we shall not fall

to twisted minds that rule this land

with whip and chain in brutal hand

we will not yield the sacred trust

nor feed upon the moldy crust

which the beast does offer gladly

all inflamed and grinning madly

tho tattered rag  -  thy flag once proud

and bleeding feet  -  tho head un-bowed

we face the dawn with shining faces
of doubt and fear there are no traces

for in thy time each heart does know

as life moves on its sacred flow

the soul of man will seek thy light

and move beyond this endless night

the whisper that i dimly hear

does speak that time may yet be near

oh yes  -  the force does feel some stronger

the soul cries out  -  not too much longer

the love long sought by this small band

does in truth feel near at hand

the stirring in the heart grows stronger

raging pain i feel no longer

the mission tho still unfulfilled 

will be complete as thou has willed

and light yet fill the hardest heart

thy love shall reach the darkest part

in time the sorrows past will fade

and truth regain this world you made

for as the story does unfold

eternal love each heart will hold 

i wish you and yours well

merry christmas