DECEMBER 15, 1967
Christmas Lost
No gifts around the Christmas
tree, its barrenness is so.
No singing by the fireside, where did they all go?
No spicy smells of yuletide, only muggy air.
No snow of fluffy softness, mingling in her hair.
No tramping of the small, red
boots, playing children's games.
No scurrying at bedtime, to wait for Santa's claims.
No merriment of spirit, to fill my heart I fear.
No "peace on earth or good
will", For I'm in Viet Nam.