12 Days Before Christmas Poems

Whilst teaching, I produced an annual Christmas Stocking Fillers, started in 1992, of poetry and prose for friends and colleagues. Most of these were light and fluffy, especially in the early days; some satirical and increasingly angry, certainly further down the years as government messing with education grew, and a regular feature was a poetry pastiche based on the Education Secretary of the day.

I propose over the next 12 days before Christmas to print a selection of these here, starting with a twee trio from the first publication.

I

Three wise women
would have driven
in a car
to that far star

II

The presence
of presents

is the litmus
of Christmas

III

To be guided by a bright star today
is probably all right
if you're sure that what leads you on your way
isn't a satellite