Glass and Light and Tears

In the top of the box lay a bit of
     glass from a second hand store
I picked it up and saw three kings
     from the nativity bearing gifts
Excitedly, I stood the glass on its base
     the kings simmered in my lights
I sat and stared and a tear caught my
     eye, I had three earthly kings 
But where was their king? I was missing
     the most important part
Here in the desert, not far from
     where the three began
I was celebrating Christmas in a wooden hut
     far from my home
My friends, my family, so distant
     the sounds of guns so near
Tears ran down my face such that
     it would shame most soldiers
The glass kings changed with  
     light bending through my tears
Colors, textures became muted
     blending 'til becoming soft and real
I looked on a desert land and a
     caravan with the kings
The caravan stood still, camped for
     the night, with 
Servants, drivers, and camels burdened
     with goods needed for travel
In the distant sky hung a star
     I could feel its mission and glory
And I heard the voice of a king
     "Tonight is the night 
"Let us stop to celebrate and worship this night
     and this day"
I saw the other kings nod 
     and the vision faded
And became again glass
     and light and tears
I remembered those kings
     noble and great
Away from their homes and families
     but not alone
I wiped my eyes and left my room
     to find my fellow soldiers
To worship with