My Christmas Wish Is...

This is a Christmas poem for my son, Jumelle.  I wrote this a few years ago when he deployed to Iraq.  Even though he is 31, I still, I find myself missing his funny ways and his quirky smile.  But, he is grown now and lives many a mile.

My Christmas wish is... to spend more time with you is probably a bold and selfish tool.

And when you signed up to defend your country and you knew the risk,

I still feel like I pushed too soon, for that, I feel like such a fool!

Christmas is meant to be a celebration of the birth of Christ.

But, since you told me you were returning to Iraq for a second time,

I can't stop feeling cheated and hurt, which I know, is not nice.

Chrismas poems are supposed to be uplifting and cheerful.

But, on Sunday morning, when you finally get on that plane,

I will face extreme bouts of fear and I'll be sad and very tearful.

When you leave us for the second time,

I promise to hold your picture so close to my heart.

Because I know that God will keep you safe and harbor you from crime.

I keep remembering you when you were such a handsome, little boy

And when your only concern was what cartoon to watch or how much food you could eat.

Now, I desperately long for more of those days, while I watched you holding your favorite toy.

I know that Christmas poems are filled with jolly, holly, and Christmas cheer.

And, when I think about you and the sand, dust, and hostile environment you must face,

My Christmas wish is...to spend more time with you as I stare out the window, peeping through the sheer.

Previously posted on Yahoo! Contributor Network