[Holly Martins]

I don't remember there being too many Christmas poems on the Sphere last year and I haven't seen any this year - your folders must be bulging with them. Hallmark verses particularly welcome. Like this one:


CHRISTMAS SHIPS

They stand off Margate, saving mooring fees -
sometimes three dozen wait. From close to shore
a Polish coaler smokes, and on the breeze
a carol’s whistled from a galley door.

Against a darkening horizon, tramps
and super-tankers waiting for a berth
light Christmas trees high up on masts, with lamps
to beacon peace at sea, and peace on earth.