Power Plant Christmas Story

December, 1998 my brother who is now a full Colonel in the United States Marine Corp. sent me the following poem about Santa Claus visiting a Marine on the night before Christmas.  I, in turn, sat down and in about 30 minutes wrote a poem about Santa Claus visiting the house of a Power Plant Man.  Words flowed out as easily as Ralph writing about his wish to have a Red Rider BB gun.

First, here is the Marine story, and then after that, you can read the one about Santa and the Power Plant Man.  Notice the similarities….

I made the title for the Marine Poem a link to the website where I found a recent copy of the Marine Christmas Story:

 

Marine’s ‘Twas the night before Christmas

 By Nathan Tabor

‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,

in a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live.

–

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,

no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

–

No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,

on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

–

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,

a sober thought came through my mind.

–

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary;

I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

–

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,

curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

–

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,

not how I pictured a United States soldier.

–

Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?

Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

–

I realized the families that I saw this night,

owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

–

Soon round the world, the children would play,

and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.

–

They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,

because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.

–

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,

on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

–

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,

I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

–

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,

“Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice;

–

I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,

my life is my God, my Country, my Corps.

–

“The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,

I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

–

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still

and we both shivered from the cold night’s chill.

–

I didn’t want to leave on that cold, dark night,

this guardian of honor so willing to fight.

–

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,

whispered, “Carry on Santa, It’s Christmas Day, all is secure.

–

“One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.

“Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!”

 

Semper Fi

 

 And now for the story where Santa visits the Power Plant Man!!!

 

Merry Christmas Power Plant Men

Twas the night before Christmas, as I flew through the snow,

To a house full of kids, wife, dog and Jay Leno.

I came down the chimney with presents to share,

And to see what kind of he-man actually lived there.

I looked all about, and oh what a sight!

Four kids in their beds, without much of a fight!

A dirty pair of jeans, and a shirt full of holes,

Boots full of coal dust, worn shoestrings and soles.

A hardhat was hung by the chimney to dry,

With safety stickers, scratches, and earplugs nearby.

I felt that something was stirring in my chest,

And I knew that this man was different from the rest.

I had heard about men like this from watching Roseanne,

But now I was in the house of a Power Plant Man!

I looked down the hallway and what should I see,

A tool bag hanging behind the Christmas tree.

As I approached it to look at his side cutters,

I heard a strange sound, like a motor that sputters.

There on the recliner laid back as far as it can,

Lay the worn body of the Power Plant Man!

The hole in his sock showed a big toe that was callous,

From trudging all day through his Power Plant Palace.

His face was unshaven, his clothes were a mess,

He needed a shower, of that I confess.

I knew through the nation all people could stay,

Warm in their beds, until the next day.

From the power that hummed at the speed of light,

And silently flowed through the houses at night.

Day after day, and year after year,

Blizzards and storms with nothing to fear.

As the Power Plant Man lay on his chair fast asleep,

I thought about others like him that work just to keep,

Our world safe from the cold and the heat and the night,

By keeping us warm, or cool and in light.

I looked in my bag for a gift I could give,

To the Power Plant Man who helps others to live.

I found that nothing seemed quite enough,

For the Power Plant Man had all “The Right Stuff”.

As I looked through my bag for the perfect choice,

I suddenly heard a muffled cigarette voice.

The Power Plant Man had stirred with a shock,

And all that he said was, “just leave me some socks.”

Then he rolled on his side, and scratched his behind,

And a tear swelled in my eye that left me half blind,

And I knew that the Power Plant Man was selfless inside.

He lived to serve others with courage and with pride.

I pulled out some socks and put them under the tree,

Then I walked nimbly back to go up the chimney.

Before I rose to return to my sled,

I picked up his hardhat and placed it on my head.

It was then that I realized the soot on my brow,

Had come from his hardhat I put on just now.

I often get soot on my clothes and my face,

But tonight I had been blessed by the man in this place.

So as I flew through the night to finish my plan,

I took with me some of the soot from that Power Plant Man!

Simplify

Merry Christmas to all!  And to all a Good Night!!!!