My next door neighbor's brother is up from California visiting for Christmas. He's in his 70's (I think), is a veteran, and wrote this poem. When I read it yesterday, I thought it, unfortunately, hit the mark. Whether Christian or not, I think this is a time of year to visit family, watch the children and grandchildren and wish for Peace on Earth. We wish our government would truly work toward peace for families all over the globe.
The Night Before Christmas 2004
by Ian Begg
Scene One
'Twas the night before Chistmas and throughout the land
Came militant music from loud, raucous bands
The bombs were all hung 'neath the wings with great care
In hopes we could blow up some poor Arab's lair
Corp'rate war mongers were snug in their beds
Where dreams of great profits danced in their heads
The bloodthirsty butcher on Capitol Hill
A "Born-again-Christian" was lusting to kill
Said "The best way to honor our dear Savior's birth
is to slaughter his creatures and despoil His Earth
O.K. to kill Arabs, their eyes are not blue
They worship the wrong God, their skin's the wrong hue"
Our self-righteous leader surely must know
'Cause Falwell and Robertson sat that it's so
On Napalm!! On Shrapnel!! On Bullets!! On Knives!!
Let's burn some more cities and take some more lives
Scene Two
In a land not too distant from where Christ was born
Lay American soldiers all mangled and torn
We've spilled so much blood and we're sure to spill more
But our leaders don't care 'cause it's blood of the poor
My Prayer
So on this occasion the most sacred of all
I say -- "Merry Chistmas and peace to us all"
Copyright (c) Ian Begg 2004, All Rights Reserved.