writing

Advent Calendar Poem #24: A Mild Christmas Eve

The low dawn casts its shadow
gently as pastel persimmon
across the rooftops
as blinds twitch 
in hope of snowfall 

robins like paladins
stand proudly atop fenceposts 
keeping watch over the people they love
singing quiet whispers of strength 

along the emerald and dull silver hedgerow 
the squabbles of nature seem calmer
as if peace has befallen predator and prey
and no man’s land is safe for a while 

believing isn’t seeing
believing is believing

Thanks for joining me for the last day of the advent calendar of poems. I hope you’ve enjoyed my scribbling over the past month and year. All your support is highly appreciated.

Here’s a quote from my favourite Christmas film, Scrooged: “ It’s Christmas Eve! It’s, it’s the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we, we, we smile a little easier, we, w-w-we, we, we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be! It’s a miracle, it’s really, a sort of a miracle because it happens every Christmas Eve.”

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year

Paul

Advent Calendar Poem #23: Pressure Cooking

There’s a tumbling of sprouts
mini green baubles spilling 
over the kitchen floor 
from the punctured paper bag
a reindeer’s snack 
has caused the tear 
as if anticipating 
the sound of sleigh bells 
but the only sound at the moment 
is sobbing and swearing 
the self-imposed pressure building 
before you can relax 
you have a hundred jobs to do
but Christmas isn’t all on your shoulders
grab a drink and take a seat 
a deep breath to slow down
like snow falling 
everything will be okay.

Hey everyone Merry Christmas Eve Eve. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read the penultimate advent calendar poem for 2022.

Here’s a quote from one of my favourite Xmas movies, The Polar Express “Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.”

Take It Easy

Paul

Advent Calendar Poem #22: Sparkly Presents

The wreath shines
in winter light 
scarlet holly glowing 
slices of scented citrus 
glistening like stained glass 
even long-dried pinecones 
have a revived golden aura 
emerald fir and spruce branches 
hold everything together 
this natural bracelet
a truly precious 
and priceless gift.

Thanks for taking the time to read this poem. I hope you’re doing amazing this week and have some merriment planned over the festive period. Only 2 poems left of the calendar. Thanks for the ongoing support, it’s very appreciated.

Take It Easy

Paul

Advent Calendar Poem #21: Midwinter

The winter solstice 
deepens the darkness 
tilted away from the sun 
we cling to the watercolour sky
and whatever sunlight we can 
for our diurnal delectation 
the night              
  -   can wait.

Hey, happy solstice day and thanks for stopping by to read poem number 21. I hope you are having a great week and have had plenty smiles this week.

Take It Easy

Paul

Advent Calendar Poem #20: A Take on Christmas Films

I slip into the comfort 
of old Christmas movies 
like John & Hans   tearing up Nakatomi
Buddy finding his family    and a new job
George finding help from Clarence
Frank Cross reuniting with Claire
and a boy in blue dancing with snowmen 
the nostalgia is like hot chocolate 
and warm hugs 
it’s hard sometimes to step away.

Thanks for stopping by today to read number 20 in the advent calendar. I hope your week is going well and that your all sorted for the festivities.

Take It Easy

Paul

Advent Calendar Poem #17: Feast


The robins and gulls 
were dancing around the 
garden this morning 
and last night
eyes on the ground 
oblivious to each other 
beaks tapping on frozen ground 
percussive plundering 
but there was nothing to find.

Tonight when they return
they will enjoy 
a bounty of seeds and nuts
a festive feast
from us to them.

Thanks for reading. I hope your weekend is going well.

Take it Easy

Paul

Advent Calendar Poem #14: Precious Decorations

We found treasure
on the forest floor
scattered pinecones 
shining silvery-white 
in the     winter frost-glow 
and the cool 
            pearl sun.

Thanks for taking the time today’s poem. I can’t believe there’s only ten left. December is going by far too quickly.

Remember to come back tomorrow for the next calendar door to be opened.

Take It Easy,

Paul

Advent Calendar Poem #12 : A Sky Full Of Stars


The sky is full of stars
in the winter chill 
they resemble snowflakes 
trapped on an indigo canvas
and although they won’t fall
to give hot frozen kisses 
never melting on the earth 
or rosy cheeks
they act as a beacon 
a beacon of hope for
childhood fun 
and nostalgia 
- snow is a possibility.

Thanks for reading today. I hope your week is off to a great start.

Feliz Navidad,

Paul

Advent Calendar Poem #11: Joy

Cheeks burning 
from snowflake kisses 
frozen tears trapped 
like salty rock pools 
this is joy painting my face
at the wonder of winter.

I hope you have enjoyed your weekend, I definitely have. I can’t believe in two weeks Santa will have done his years work!

Thanks for stopping by and reading the advent calendar.

Merry December 11th

Paul