Gold Star Christmas Poem by Charles Hancock

The evening was cold and black
Warming herself by the fire
With a book and a little cognac

It was nearly time to retire
The bed was calling her name
Heat plus libation; a multiplier

Christmas has never been the same
It's been 8 years since the notification
When they arrived at her door to proclaim

On behalf of a grateful nation...
Her son exhibited great gallantry
In the defence of his location

But the mission was a catastrophe
And his unit was overran
It was a horrible tragedy

He perished fighting the Taliban
During a fierce night battle
All because of that damn Quran

Legions of beguiled chattel
Commanded to attack
By a treatise of satanic prattle