Christmas Poem

In January 1996 I wrote a poem entitled 'The Realities Of Christmas' and submitted it as an entry in a competition run by the Peterborough publisher Triumph House. Not surprisingly, it did not win but it was considered good enough to be published in a book made up from the best poems submitted. I have reproduced it below. I hope you enjoy it, if you do please let me know.

The realities of Christmas, like gifts beneath the tree

Hidden by festive paper, cards and greenery

Like the prickliness of holly

The bitter cold of snow

Christmas means for many

A cruel and bitter blow

The homeless with no fireside

The jobless with no means

Those grieving for the loved ones

Who once shared Christmas dreams

The ones who have no family with whom they can be merry

Find very little comfort in port or wine or sherry

Those who cannot see the church

Or hear the peal of bells

Who cannot rise up from their beds

Escape their lonely cells

For those who feel they cannot go on

That life is not worth living

Christmas time can seem to be so harshly unforgiving

And yet for all a star shines down

A reminder from above

Gods message sent to all mankind

Of hope and peace and love