Pegasus2002

'Twas the Night Before Christmas
for the Children of 9/11/01
Ashley Barrentine
Second Place, Poetry
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

'Twas the night before Christmas and some were all alone
Some in a shelter made of block and stone.
When I came to New York City with presents to give
All I could see was lonely children with a sad life to live.
I looked all about and a wonderful sight did I see.
The little boys and girls were gathered round a tree
Giving thanks to the Father that no one can see.
No stockings were hanging to be filled with toys
For these sad little girls and boys.
After seeing how these small children cope
We could all learn a lesson in finding hope.
Cold, gray, and dreary was not this place.
The hope and faith of the children was what brightened this place.
I had heard stories of faith like this, and I had to see more.
So, I walked down the hall and pushed open a door.
There were a quiet few all alone
That were kneeling and praying for a warm, welcoming home.
I wondered how this could be the children of parents who were dead.
Still filled with a forgiving heart, but yet without even a comfortable bed.
Soon I realized the children that I saw that night
May one day live to fight
The mean, hateful men that stole their fathers and mothers.
They would never know about the little sisters of brothers
That their mothers may soon bear.
For these sad little souls, it may be too much that I care,
But as I dropped to my knees and started to cry
A child walked up and saw the tears flooding from my eyes.
He said to me, "Santa don't cry. I will see my parents again soon.
They are with God  and are always carefully watching over me."
With that, the child crawled back into bed and quietly went back to sleep.
After seeing all this, I couldn't control it; I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still;
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this child from his toes to his head.
I didn't want to leave him alone on that cold, dark night,
But I knew I had to be so many other places so far out of sight.
With a quick and silent prayer I left the child,
But I knew soon I would see him again.
As I left, I whispered, "Merry Christmas and Good Night!"