Christmas Poems , Stories and Winter Tales.

sleds_at_botanics-2324Christmas Poems, Stories and Winter Tales from Glasgow Writers

Lots of my talented writer friends have responded to my request for Christmas Poems, Stories and Winter Tales – I’ve been enjoying reading them and know you will too. There’s plenty of choice: some are sweet and poignant; some are hilarious; plus there’s sadness, joy, profanity and more than a little irreverence – they’re all great. The menu is on the right and more to come.. :)

Twelve Days of Christmas – Leela Soma

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A Festive Story by Leela Soma   Twelve days of Christmas She is excited, super excited from the moment she sees the tinsel and the baubles in the shop. October this year! Twelve days of Christmas? No, not for her. My nerves are frazzled from October onwards. She calls her friend excitedly. Day – 1. […]

Read the full article: Twelve Days of Christmas – Leela Soma

Shaking Hands With Christmas – Brian Whittingham

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The Quilt and The Book, Christmas Day The Ball and The Boots, Boxing Day A Christmas Trilogy THE FIRE AND THE TREE Christmas-Eve. Mum cleaned the grate of yesterday’s fireplace replenished it with crumpled newspaper, kindling, adding course-coal she lit, gently puffing her cheeks, blowing to fan the new-born flame. She’d stand the coal-shovel against […]

Read the full article: Shaking Hands With Christmas – Brian Whittingham

To Move On – short story by Samina Chaudry

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(Image by Hans Benn) To Move On (Also published in Scottish PEN) Riz came out of the kitchen holding an oven tray. He put two chicken legs on her plate. It was pink in the middle when she cut through it. He looked up from his plate as he forked a mouthful of the chicken […]

Read the full article: To Move On – short story by Samina Chaudry

The Angel Beds by Michael Crossan

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From a valley place he came. A north man. The Scotsman. Fatherly to see, hardy spined, here in lowland Howwood a fortnight to fix a chapel rooftop. Eight till five daytime shifts. Grey then black hours. He the gaffer, a one man service, jacketed and booted, given hammer-tap at the slates. Afternoons, December crept dark […]

Read the full article: The Angel Beds by Michael Crossan

The Fortune Teller by Pat Byrne

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‘it’s me. Colin. Let me in.’ Her brother nearly fell on top of her as Cora opened the door. ‘What’s up?’ She caught his arm as he staggered. ’Looks worse…that’s his, no mine.’ He patted his bloodstained shirt. ’My God. Look at the state of you.’ She helped him to the couch. One eye was […]

Read the full article: The Fortune Teller by Pat Byrne

Hopes and Fears by James Connarty

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A Christmas Story by James Connarty Joe went to Bethlehem once. It wasn’t Christmas Eve though. It was the height of Summer and he’d had to douse himself with insect repellent to keep the mosquitos from biting his face aff. His pals thought he’d cracked up, using his redundancy money like that – a mid-life […]

Read the full article: Hopes and Fears by James Connarty

Driving to Mass by Micheal Norton

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I drove through the sticks over the thick ice and frozen muck that gripped the backroads.   The countryside was pitch black, abandoned, with lonely houses spread out like rare driftwood amongst the ditches.  My mother was wrapped up in the passenger seat.  Her nose poking out from her head scarf as she eyed the road.  […]

Read the full article: Driving to Mass by Micheal Norton

Christmas Chocolate Log with Irish Cream Filling by Mags McGrath

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Begorrah! Children, cover your eyes.  I’m a grown-up’s pudding. Dark and tempting oozing cream liquered filling really means that after babes have gone to sleep I’m for sharing with those who keep late hours, and, yes a little wine to drink with me dessert of course, ah, can you see my gorgeous curls which snap […]

Read the full article: Christmas Chocolate Log with Irish Cream Filling by Mags McGrath

Saturday, December 12, 2020 | Filed under: Christmas Poems , Stories and Winter Tales

Tak Tent (Take Care) Christmas video – Janet Crawford

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‘A wee Christmas wish…take care and all the best for 2021’ Janet Crawford Janet Crawford is a Falkirk based writer. ‘I write about the stuff I see, the issues that get to me and those which make my heart soar.’ Janet Crawford on Twitter

Read the full article: Tak Tent (Take Care) Christmas video – Janet Crawford

Ice on Loch Lomond a poem by Catriona Malan

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(Photograph by Mike Taylor) That was the winter the loch froze over stealing reflections from the hills, and laying its pale shawl on their shoulders. Islands, feeling they were trapped, huddled sullen in the cold as the wind shaved the bracken of their skin. But the postman skated that squeaking plain sensing, beneath his blades, […]

Read the full article: Ice on Loch Lomond a poem by Catriona Malan

Ruby saves the day by Gillian Mayes

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Ruby is a young woman who lives at home with her mother, father and little brother. She lives in a part of Glasgow called Giffnock, where there are nice houses with big gardens so that everybody there feels very lucky. Most of her days are straightforward – the odd calamity happens of course, like losing […]

Read the full article: Ruby saves the day by Gillian Mayes

Fionnuala Boyle – Glove Makes the World Go Round

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In his New Year message, the Archbishop of Canterbury urged Britons to “start healing some of the divisions that we’ve seen over recent years” by reaching out to people in their lives who they are estranged from or may disagree with on the issues of the day. “Pick one person. Pick up the phone. Send them […]

Read the full article: Fionnuala Boyle – Glove Makes the World Go Round

Mary Irvine’s Blog: Christmas Customs and Festivals

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Christmas Customs Once again the rush is on and stress increases as the day draws near… I abolished, for myself, the commercialism of Christmas several years ago. It was the year I went to the post office and bought stamps which cost more than double the actual cards being sent. I also considered to whom […]

Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: Christmas Customs and Festivals

Some Wintertime Poems by Finola Scott

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Darkening So the Darkness approaches, I could talk of                                    enveloping black                                    the rip and reveal of the veil                                    stripped […]

Read the full article: Some Wintertime Poems by Finola Scott

I Deserve This – a poem for Christmas by Calum Maclean

The talented Glasgow poet Calum Maclean reveals his thoughts on Christmas. I Deserve This I must’ve been the architect of some outrageous larceny, my henchmen thieving priceless jewels delivered to me personally. Presumably, I used that swag to fund an act of treachery, facilitated shady deals, created instability, ensured elections swung my way, indulged in […]

Read the full article: I Deserve This – a poem for Christmas by Calum Maclean

A Christmas Poem – The Forgotten by Margaret Harrison

(Margaret Harrison, Freewoman of Dumbarton, life-long peace campaigner and activist for human rights. A remarkable woman who, at the age of 95, has not lost hope of world peace. Whilst acknowledging and respecting opposing viewpoints she has never swerved in her convictions or in working to achieve peace through non-violent protest.) The Forgotten They used […]

Read the full article: A Christmas Poem – The Forgotten by Margaret Harrison

Frohe Weihnachten – a Christmas Poem by Brian Whittingham

Christmas Poem by Brian Whittingham

FROHE WEIHNACHTEN (My Christmas poem for friends old and new.) On Christmas Eve, mum softly sang Stille Nacht. Busy with final preparations. Scotch pine, I recall her telling dad. Best for keeping its needles. She clipped red candles onto green sprigs, placed small bowls of walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts at the base of the tree. […]

Read the full article: Frohe Weihnachten – a Christmas Poem by Brian Whittingham

The Stress of Christmas Wrapping by Calum Maclean

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Christmas 2018 I’m wrapping your present with delicate care, While sweating and shaking with tape in my hair. I wish I could do it with style and aplomb, Instead it’s much more like defusing a bomb. The paper’s dishevelled, all battered and creased, Though the cartoons of Reindeer are festive at least. There might be […]

Read the full article: The Stress of Christmas Wrapping by Calum Maclean

Christmas Day – a story by Cornelius Doherty

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  Christmas Day Everything old was new again. The rust on the tin roofs of the outhouses disappeared. The black pitch on the byre – gaping and torn down to the rotten cladding was covered in the cold white of Christmas morning. A small robin landed lightly on the window sill, barely marking the untouched […]

Read the full article: Christmas Day – a story by Cornelius Doherty

Seasons Greetings from Stef Shaw The Glasgow Cabbie

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    ‘Most of us look forward to a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, and many enjoy a drink on Christmas Day. 🥃🍷 This time of year is such a fun time for most children and families, but I’d like you to remember that it can also be a very sad time of year […]

Read the full article: Seasons Greetings from Stef Shaw The Glasgow Cabbie

‘Between Christmas and the year you never knew’ by Stephen Watt

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‘Between Christmas and the year you never knew’ A terrible time of year to go. Not a holiday, but expiring. Accepting that the wiring in your body is loose; heart attacks caused by Star Jumps or having the stomach pumped after an uninspiring vindaloo. Between Christmas and the year you never knew when the Cat […]

Read the full article: ‘Between Christmas and the year you never knew’ by Stephen Watt

Tuesday, December 27, 2016 | Filed under: Christmas Poems , Stories and Winter Tales, Stephen Watt, Poet.

Playing Cards by Pat Byrne

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Mind and phone me,’ said Maureen. ‘I’ll give you a ring tomorrow.’ ‘Sure you don’t want me to wait?’ Polly didn’t answer. ‘Number 92 mind.’ ‘I know. And you’re the Northern Line. Would ye just go. I’ll be fine.’ Maureen shrugged her backpack on and walked away. Polly could sense her looking back as she […]

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Tuesday, December 20, 2016 | Filed under: Christmas Poems , Stories and Winter Tales

Merry Christmas from Scuffer Airways by James Carson

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(I’ve been enjoying James’ very humorous stories about Scuffer Airways and requested a Christmas addition to add to my Festive Poems and Stories on the site.  Thanks very much, James). Merry Christmas from Scuffer Airways Good morning, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, and welcome aboard this very special Scuffer Airways flight to Lapland. In […]

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Wednesday, December 14, 2016 | Filed under: Christmas Poems , Stories and Winter Tales

Dear Diary by Paul Wright

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Thursday 23 December Midnight Dear Diary Been thinking all day about the Prince’s Ball. Grimelda and Safi have been a nightmare all day ordering me around, getting everything ready for THEM. No time for cleaning. I’ll pay for that! Not even had five minutes to myself and been close to tears all day. But didn’t […]

Read the full article: Dear Diary by Paul Wright

Ice on Loch Lomond by Catriona Malan

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Ice on Loch Lomond, Christmas and Christmastide Three poems by Catriona Malan, Helensburgh Ice on Loch Lomond That was the winter the loch froze over stealing reflections from the hills, and laying its pale shawl on their shoulders. Islands, feeling they were trapped, huddled sullen in the cold as the wind shaved the bracken of […]

Read the full article: Ice on Loch Lomond by Catriona Malan

Saturday, November 26, 2016 | Filed under: Christmas Poems , Stories and Winter Tales

Fiona Alderman: A Peaceful Christmas Greeting from Rural France

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A peaceful Christmas greeting After a month’s trouble in France let’s hope that the festive period is calm, wherever we live. Here in rural France life carries on as usual and there are lots of Christmas markets and musical events that have been quietly getting underway. In Salignac, the cluster of fairy lights decorating the […]

Read the full article: Fiona Alderman: A Peaceful Christmas Greeting from Rural France

Café Noir by James Carson

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Inspector Bjørn Torvik was in heaven. As the scorching Costa Rican sun warmed his weathered face, Torvik’s senses were immersed in the incredible fragrances drifting across from the coffee plantation. He could almost taste the full-bodied fruitiness, the sweetness of caramel, the hint of vanilla.  If he just reached out, he could  – An explosion […]

Read the full article: Café Noir by James Carson

Some Winter Poems by Maria Venditozzi

The invalid January     hobbles      along                             un                                      balan                                 ced                                      Paying for the consequences                         of December Nothing to do                         but learn… Premature The weather changed to snow confetti –fluttered showers, soft as baby’s breath.Kissed her eyelids, cooled her burning tears.They lowered the coffin, laid her child to rest. Pause for […]

Read the full article: Some Winter Poems by Maria Venditozzi

Winter Rain – Derek J. Brown

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Winter Rain Tonight, in the city, a winter rain falls heavily, with an unknown purpose It takes more than rain to cleanse soul and more than soul to change a world pleading to be altered. Everything is conscience denied its head and tail, Edward Hopper in his grave, not turning, not stirring, tuned to a […]

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Mary Irvine’s Blog: Xmas Overdone.

Several years ago, being appalled at the amount of money I was spending on postage for Xmas cards I resolved that was it. No more. I duly informed people of my decision. Some still send cards, others donate £1 to their local charity and others stopped talking to me. Ok, there were only two but […]

Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: Xmas Overdone.

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