There was an ingenious and varied response to the call for the loved or loathed triolet. Bill Holloway introduced us to the word ‘vug’ ( a rock cavity lined with crystals) from Cornish, Judith Green wagged a finger at the competition-setter and John Wood lost the backdoor key. Mike Mesterton-Gibbons remembered the cruisers on the Villa Vie and its protracted voyage and Michael Swan suggested pheasants, malt whisky or a crate of beer as suitable gifts while Susanna Clayson evoked the awfulness of some commercial Christmas phenomena through coinages such as candi-twinklit and moonmisty spangle-lited. With thanks to all who sportingly took part, below in no particular order are the seven entries which survived a particularly difficult seasonal sifting.
D.A. Prince: Robin
That cheery robin on the Christmas card
is one big bruiser, knowing how to win
your heart by glowing with sweet self-regard.
That cheery robin on the Christmas card
will clear his territory by being hard
and murdering all rivals (and his kin).
That cheery robin on the Christmas card
is one big bruiser, knowing how to win.
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Mike Mesterton-Gibbons: No Franking Cents
We'll send no Christmas cards this year.
We can't afford the postage rate.
We'd rather spend our cash on beer.
We'll send no Christmas cards this year.
I know you're there. You know I'm here.
What more need we communicate?
We'll send no Christmas cards this year.
We can't afford the postage rate.
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Michael Swan
Maybe this Christmas won’t be hell,
but sadly, that’s the way to bet.
We’ve got to cope with mad Aunt Nell,
(maybe this Christmas won’t be hell?)
and ghastly Uncle Frank as well,
and teenage monster Violet.
Maybe this Christmas won’t be hell
but sadly, that’s the way to bet.
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Julia Griffin: Opportunity Knocks, Knocks, Knocks
“It’s getting dark, too dark to see,
My battery is low,”
Bleeped Rover Opportunity.
“It’s getting dark, too dark to see”,
Once Dylan’s line, now means to me
A lost star’s final glow:
It’s getting dark, too dark to see.
My battery is low.
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Margaret Owen Ruckert: Homage to Home
Each end of year I thank my family’s past.
They left the Midlands cold to catch the sun.
October we’re in T’s – it’s warming fast.
Each end of year I thank my family’s past
as I’ve a backyard pool, it’s such a blast.
Our summer’s like a holiday of fun.
Each end of year I thank my family’s past.
They left the Midlands cold to catch the sun.
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Jane Blanchard: Kaleidoscope
Turn the tube to see what shows.
Marvel at the sight you get.
Change is how the future goes.
Turn the tube and see what shows:
Shards in shapes you never chose.
Wonder what may happen yet?
Turn the tube, then see what shows.
Marvel! What a sight you get.
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Marshall Begel: Spiritsail
One night, alone, he took his boat –
The boat that washed up on the shore.
He left no plan, no map, no note
The night, alone, he took his boat.
The sorrow he could not emote
Projects his image, evermore:
One man, alone, upon a boat –
The boat that washed up on the shore.
