Christmas 2005 In Iraq With Mitt 2-2-2

One or two of us Were home on leave; For the rest of us, Christmas came by mail. Our callsign: Gunslingers. Our Military Transition Team Was embedded with The "Triple Deuce" Iraqi Infantry, For a year our home Was LSA Diamondback Mosul, Nineveh province, In northern Iraq A Team member's wife Gave us all Santa hats. I have an old photo Of us standing on top Of an old Iraqi bunker, Bearing pistols, rifles, And those Santa hats. My wife sent a small Plastic Christmas tree, Which was decorated In the Gunslingers' office. My mom sent a warm quilt. When you're acclimatized To wearing battle armor In the high 90s and 100s, 80-something feels cold! I remember the nights-- Dark, but full of stars, With Orion's belt On the horizon. Soldiers made bonfires In the oddest places: By a concrete shelter, Or in classified burn pits. Once exiting my office, I saw a fire in the sky. Soldiers were on top of a bunker Drinking near-beer, singing. Another night, I stood Just outside of the light Looking at some troops, And the chiaroscuro image. I went back to my "choo", And penciled the scene. To complete the masterpiece, I inserted myself Roasting marshmallos. I went back to visit them, Showed them the drawing, Then completed the picture By searing a marshmallow. Christmas was what we made of it.