We woke up to find our garden
covered in a light dusting of snow
Pretty as a winter wonderland
shimmering under a sunny glow

Careful steps across the patio
which became a temporary ice rink
Defrosted the frozen bird bath
a grateful blackbird came to drink

Every surface remained frozen
under blue skies, clear and bright
The temperature just below zero
the day glistened icing sugar wh...

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Paint a picture perfect postcard

Mitchelgate in the evening light

Christmas tree lights are glowing

the full moon is shining bright

Paint a silent, serene town scene

backdropped by snow topped fells

Phone lines divide the dusky sky

the silence broken by church bells 

photo credit Robin Ree

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This year I began to write in rhyme
not much rhymes with twenty twenty
I wrote quite a lot about Covid-19
because pandemic news was aplenty

Looking forward to the coming year
the new year of twenty twenty one
I hope future writes about Covid-19 
will end in rhyme with none, gone or won

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In April I wrote my first poem

it was a one off at this time

It soon became my pastime

attempting lines that rhyme

I came across this website 

where people write out loud

Encouraged by the comments

and likes that made me proud

Now I attempt a write everyday

to help me though these times

I like the challenge it presents 

writing in riddles and rhymes

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Vixen is too hot to foxtrot
Prancer and Dancer just love dancing
Comet flashes us her tail
Blitzen shimmers as she is prancing

Donner thunders across the sky
Dasher hurries along, always dashing
Cupid has found love again 
Rudolph's nose is red and flashing

The reindeers are getting ready
for their busiest night of the year
when they travel the world over
to bring every child a litt...

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We took our freedom for granted 

Before coronavirus came our way

Our liberty is like a distant memory 

We hope to be covid free one day

Maybe when this pandemic is over

We will appreciate all we hold dear

Find joy, contentment and gratitude 

In living our lives without covid fear

They say time is the greatest healer

That it helps to ease away the pain

May ti...

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I may have taken things for granted 

Before coronavirus came my way

Life before is like a distant memory 

I hope we will all be covid free one day

Sometimes I take time and wonder

Why did Covid-19 come to be

Maybe I will learn from these times

And become a better version of me

Maybe when this pandemic is over

I will appreciate more what I hold dear

Find cont...

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The new virus strain

Brings us more pain

The advice is plain

Stay on home terrain

We must all refrain

Travels plans abstain

In our own domain 

We should all remain 

Let me explain 

Please use your brain

Common sense retain

Help break the chain

There's a new campaign 

To vaccinate our vein

To immunise and obtain

Our freedom once again

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The tale of twenty twenty told through the seasons of this year
From Spring through to Winter, a year of living with Covid fear

The virus arrived in Spring, from China where it started life
Spread quickly across the country, bringing sorrow, pain and strife

Our lives were changed forever, lockdown was difficult for us all
We didn't realise way back then that we were in for such a long hau...

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A
star
shines
bright
high upon
our tree A
guiding light
for Santa to see
We hope and pray he 
finds our home this way
and we wake to find gifts
on Christmas Day A star shines
bright on Christmas Night A guiding
light for the reindeers in flight We 
hope and pray you find Christmas 
cheer and wish you
all
the
very best
f...

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The love triangle is over
The battle has been won
And now the happy couple
Come together to live as one

They play hide and seek
Or maybe it is kiss catch
In and around the ceramic pots
On their own garden patch

Like a Benny Hill chase
Running at fast forward speed
Stop to pick over the leaves
On bugs and worms they feed

The blackbirds entertain me
Morning, noon and night
Bright...

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Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Try with all your might
For this time
Not to stay with others over night

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Only for one day
For this time
We hope coronavirus will stay away

Here we are in these Covid days
More pandemic days in store 
Family and friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us no more

In future years we all will be together
...

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It is the week before Christmas
the calm before the storm
Covid Christmas is nearly here
a bit different from the norm

but....

The house is decked as always
the tree lights are glowing bright
The presents are all wrapped up
tucked away and hidden out of sight

The food preparation is sorted 
next weeks list is ready for shopping
The beer and wine is stocked up
the Champagne is rea...

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The pheasant is a stunning bird
With feathers colourful and bright
He struts around my garden
A welcome and wonderful sight

The pheasant is a stupid bird
When he flies low across our lane
For now he's safe in my garden
Perhaps he's searching for his brain

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A cross legged carrot

Desperate for the loo

Brought a smile to me

Hope it brings you one too

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Four cars on the drive

Four cups of tea to drink

Four mats set for dinner

Four plates in the sink

Extra bags of shopping 

Extra mouths to feed

Extra bags of washing 

Extra housework indeed!

Full is my heart

Full is my nest

Full heart and home

I am truly blessed 

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The snow folks' Christmas party
held in a secret location out of sight 
Bright stars twinkle in the black sky
a moon beam for their spotlight

One night a year they come alive
in this mysterious and magical delight
Frosted bodies sparkle and shimmer
glistening in the cold, clear night

Their dance floor is a frozen lake
which reflects the starry cloudless skies
Dancing and skating all ...

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How wonderful to be remembered 

With fondness and in such a loving way

The news that another British icon

Dame Barbara Windsor sadly passed away

Effervescent, bubbly and full of life

Likened to a bottle of fine Champagne 

A great fundraiser for many charities 

To the very end with her dementia campaign 

Naughty but nice, saucy and cute

The pocket rocket that be...

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Why does everything seem to escalate 

Around this time of year

Thinking of occasions in the past 

When I have lost my Christmas cheer

Small things blown out of all proportion

Suddenly seemed impossible to beat

When a molehill became a mountain 

A challenge to conquer and defeat

The straw that broke the camels back

When plans didn’t go just right

Meet the dea...

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With the role out of the COVID vaccine

I am starting to think that very soon 

I will have to break my COVID routine 

Face the world, emerge from my cocoon

I should start to make the effort

To cast my comfy leggings aside

Time to think about looking smart

Dress with a little with more pride

I should start to make the effort

To wear makeup and do my hair

Time ...

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Vaccine, Vaccine, Vaccine, Vaccine
We’re begging of you please save us if you can
Vaccine, Vaccine, Vaccine, Vaccine
Please help save the world if you can

The pressure is beyond compare
The coronavirus infects our air
The deadly virus we know as COVID 19
The virus arrived here in the spring
Causing sadness, sorrow and pain
You don’t know how much we need you now
Vaccine

The nightmar...

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Should I write in twists and over complicate

Reflect on woes, depression, death and fate

Should I learn how to embellish the poetical form

Or keep it simple reflecting our daily norm

Should I write as if I was back in olden days

As in old rhyming slang or in Wordsworth’s ways

Should I write more often or is less much more

What is the perfect verse to avoid being a bore

Shou...

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Round and round the roundabout 

Turning left or right

The magnificent Christmas reindeer 

Shining bright and white

Round and round the roundabout 

Lighting up the night

The magnificent Christmas reindeer 

Guiding us home tonight

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A special day for Kirkby Lonsdale
On the first Saturday of December
When Father Christmas comes to visit
A tradition to treasure and remember

Santa rides in a horse drawn carriage
He waves his wand at the unlit trees
One by one the tree lights switch on
He has magical power, everyone agrees

Crowds line up on narrow pavements
Jostle for the perfect place to stand
Wait impatiently for ...

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I should explain that the first weekend in December is Father Christmas Weekend in Kirkby Lonsdale. He goes through the town pointing his wand at the lights on the trees above all the shops switching them on as he goes along. Sadly not this year. 

It should happen today
To bring us much cheer
He comes for the day, sadly not this year
Santa isn't coming to town

Covid cancelled his trip
...

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We head out to Crabtree farm
To pick out our perfect tree
This is easier said than done
So much choice, we never agree

When I have got my own way
After all Mums do know best
A challenge to fit it in the car
Like the old Krypton Factor test

Say hello to the little donkey
Gets our attention every time
Rub our hands, stamp our feet
This year, no warming gluhwein

Once home we unwrap ...

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Time to share the one of the very few poems I wrote before April this year.  This goes out on Facebook instead of sending Christmas cards. Sending it out to WOL members this year for the first time.  I have been making a charity donation instead of sending cards for the past few years.

We wish you a Merry Christmas 
From us and the red-wine-deer
Hope it's a vintage to remember 
Filled with h...

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It's not quite snow, it's not quite rain
Sleet melts in puddles and trickles down the drain

As snow it falls high upon the hill
Just a light dusting for now but I can feel the chill

I don't like rain, I don't like sleet
I like to feel deep snow crunching under my feet 

As I wish for snow, the sleet melts away
I hope snow falls thick and fast just for Christmas Day

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https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/vaccine-way-uk-lorries-packed-23106634

The vaccine is coming 

The vaccine is coming 

The vaccine is coming

The vaccine is coming 

The vaccine is coming 

The vaccine is coming

Coming for everyone

The virus news is ever changing

We hope to embrace our loved ones near and far

There's a shared celebration among us all

So let's com...

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Am I wrong to be jealous of those celebrities
Who get to stay in the Welsh castle for free
No social distancing rules apply to them
Watching them hug  each other is strange to see

They have no COVID worries or concerns
No need for regulations like hands, face, space
They receive a plentiful supply of rice and beans 
No need for shopping in masks covering their face

Last night they had ...

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One by one I count the sheep

I was told it would bring me sleep

One by one I lose the thread

As I lie wide awake in my bed 

Tell those sheep it’s getting late

I need to count them over the gate

They stand still and look my way

Remain uncounted for another day

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The pathway divides the churchyard
leading to Rectory and its grounds
Gravestones stand socially distanced
a sense of peace and quiet all around

A rainbow brightens up the grey sky
the backdrop for this perfect scene
An ageless and timeless photograph
captures a picturesque image so serene

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Today is the first day of December
I am up and awake before the sun
The full moon is still shining bright
A new month and season has begun

Heavy frost glistens in the moonlight
Slowly the dark night turns into day
As a perfect winter morning emerges
I wonder......could snow be on its way

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