Christmas Kept lyrics

In a far away world

A world of continuing war

In darkness sentinels stood watch

A daily routine of conflict

A basecamp clearing manmade

Beyond it's embattlements lie

Fields of rice in patterned plots

The jungle canopy surrounding

The silent starry heavens above

A full moon, crystal clear

Any sound penetrates the silence

No voices heard, a position to betray

This little realm tenuous

As are the makings of men

The day will soon come

When all so great will be gone

Watching in the darkness

Amid the ilusionary flashes

The images constructed in shadows

There appears one that is familiar

Looking intently, at comrades

As if to verify it is real

That sick stomach feeling comes

We prepare for war

Readied are the tubes for firing

Flares that skid and phwomp up

Their starry trail as if a comet

Exposing often a multitude

As if an army of malevent ants

Intent on total destruction

Quietly, silently we hunker down

Hidden amidst the terrain

This probing figure ever closer

Awaiting as if a spider for the kill

To come into lethal range

The moon reflects in brilliance

Upon the paddy surface

Broken only by the dikes framing

We know it's Christmas

The calendar says it's so

There are no bright lights

Save the moon and stars

No Santas, no laughter or song

No family, nor presents wrapped

We try to forget and endure

So as not to cry in melancholia

Tears only serve to blur the lines

To sight a weapon they must be clear

We are very close to one another

A militant family of opposition

But where compassion is favoured

Amidst it's variant ages and ranks

All so very close, in all things

Torn apart in time, never to recall

Hesitant to kill on this night

Moments seem to last forever

Assessing the purpose of this incursion

We all know a second means eternity

Slain without further thoughts or regrets

For our enemy would surely kill us

And we must survive,

Not knowing always why

The shadow moving as if a spectre

Perhaps a troubled soul approaches

Directly upon my firing position

There are two of us in this hole

God watches his angels attentively

A younger troop would kill in fear

The mistakes learned give life

Behold, a woman peasantly plain appears

A meager, unmenacing mamasan

Carrying a wrapped bundle

A parcel of destruction? Negative.

Behold a packet of sweets to share

Missionaries merits enacted so

Amid the blued foliage of night

A spirit of heaven's giving appears

Bringing hope and happiness

Wretched souls reconciled

By the humble act of humanity

In the arms of devastation

Smiles, embraces, tears

Salvation given if only briefly

A moment enduring in every breath

For those who survived

For those who still feel the sorrow

Mamasan still lives on