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----- Original Message ----- From: "rayilynlee" <[log in to unmask]> To: "Ordell Nelson" <[log in to unmask]>; "Lorraine Krofchok" <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, December 25, 2006 9:07 AM Subject: A dream deferred > Twas the night before Christmas, and all through Iraq Not a creature was > stirring; no sign of attack. The soldiers were sleeping; their dreams > filled the air. They envisioned their homes, and saw themselves there. > Whilst I was on watch, trying hard not to doze; But losing that battle, my > lids started to close. > Then out in the desert, there arose such a clatter; I sprang up prepared, > to deal with the matter. And what, to my wondering eyes, should appear, > But a miniature sleigh, with eight tiny reindeer. The driver had white > hair, his cheeks plump and ruddy; And soon I did know him -- an old and > trusted buddy. "Murtha!" I cried out in shock, "what brings thee to > I-raq?" He said to me, "It's Christmas -- and I've come to bring you > back." This welcome news did fill me, with a great and joyous urge; Though > I wondered about my mission, and about that final "surge." He said to me, > "Your mission's done; you served it well and true. You've followed every > order, and done all you can do. And now it's time to come on home, and get > back to your life. You cannot end the bloodshed here, you cannot quell the > strife." I had to nod at good old John; I knew that he was right; And in > my heart, I also knew: I'd no more wish to fight. "But how will you take > us all?" I asked. "You've only one small sleigh." He laughed "ho-ho" and > pointed -- to the others on the way. He waved at all those drivers, and > called out loud and clear: "Come Harry and come Nancy. Come Hillary -- > have no fear!" They all drove up, in their sleighs, still tentative yet > cheerful. But I noticed some faces missing, and it made me a bit fearful. > "Where's Cheney, and where's Rummy? And where's our old pal Joe?" John > smiled soon as he heard this, and answered, "Don't you know? They're safe > at home in their comfy beds, with nary a thought of you. They're dreaming > up new half-baked plans -- for things we must never do." I summoned all my > sleeping mates, who rubbed their tired eyes; We climbed into those little > sleighs, and rode into the skies. Murtha led the whole way back, with > stops at many a door; Where each soldier was left off at home, to stay > forever more. I was brought home last of all, to join my wife and son; I > hugged them for a good long time, and then I turned to John. But he'd > already left my door, and was sailing in mid-flight; I heard him cry, > "Merry Christmas to all -- and to all, good night." And after that came > peace on earth, until I heard the crack Of a fresh new round of gunfire -- > I awoke, still in Iraq. > > Send to a friend > by Warren Berger ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn