Christmas Poems

by Wendy Cope

For more than thirty years Wendy Cope has been one of the nation’s most popular and respected poets. Christmas Poems collects together her best festive poems, including anthology favourites such as 'The Christmas Life', together with new and previously unpublished work. Cope celebrates the joyful aspects of the season but doesn’t overlook the problems and sadness it can bring. With lively illustrations to accompany the words, it is a book to enjoy this Christmas and in years to come.

Genres: Poetry, Christmas, British Literature

39 pages, Hardcover

First published November 2, 2017

About the author

Wendy Cope was educated at Farringtons School, Chislehurst, London and then, after finishing university at St Hilda's College, Oxford, she worked for 15 years as a primary school teacher in London.

In 1981, she became Arts and Reviews editor for the Inner London Education Authority magazine, 'Contact'. Five years later she became a freelance writer and was a television critic for 'The Spectator magazine' until 1990.

Her first published work 'Across the City' was in a limited edition, published by the Priapus Press in 1980 and her first commercial book of poetry was 'Making Cocoa for Kingsley Amis' in 1986. Since then she has published two further books of poetry and has edited various anthologies of comic verse.

In 1987 she received a Cholmondeley Award for poetry and in 1995 the American Academy of Arts and Letters Michael Braude Award for light verse. In 2007 she was one of the judges for the Man Booker Prize.

In 1998 she was the BBC Radio 4 listeners' choice to succeed Ted Hughes as Poet Laureate and when Andrew Motion's term of office ended in 2009 she was once again considered as a replacement.

She was awarded the OBE in the Queen's 2010 Birthday Honours List.

Gerry Wolstenholme
February 2011

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a 3 1/2 star read for me. The book arrived yesterday. I hadn't read Wendy Cope before, but Simon Savidge of Savidge Reads recommended it based on Cope's other poetry. But in his end of December reviews, he said he was disappointed. I will say it does have an often dark perspective of the Christmas holiday season, and perhaps some readers are looking for something more uplifting. I hadn't read Cope before so I read this is a more detached manner. Some of the poems, even though dark, were appealing, and compelling. My favorite was "Bethlehem". It is a short collection with only 12 short poems that I read in one sitting. The illustrations by MIchael Kirkham were perfect!

[Callum McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple but effective, there is a bittersweet charm to these poems. They manage to capture the contrasting joy and sadness felt by many during the Christmas period. Cope’s style is incredibly accessible; her themes widely relatable. This makes them easy to dip in and out of, even if you’re normally daunted by the form.

It’s such a swift, nicely presented little collection. I can certainly see myself reaching for it again in future festive seasons.

[Tim Frankland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not to be a Grinch but like, the orange was better

[Beks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slight little book beautifully illustrated in grey-blues and yellow and blue and white with small illustrations. Perfect. With small turns of phrase, she finds a way to capture all the hard things and good things about Christmas. I finished each poem with a smile “how apt, just right.” I just wish there were a few more.

[jolovesbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

O Come, All Ye Faithful:

Born the King of Angels -
That's the bit that drives music teachers
Round the bend. 'It's An-gels.
Two notes. Not A-an-gels.'

*

A Christmas Song:

Why is the baby crying
On this, his special day,
When we have brought him lovely gifts
And laid them on the hay?

He’s crying for the people
Who greet this day with dread
Because somebody dear to them
Is far away or dead,

For all the men and women
Whose love affairs went wrong,
Who try their best at merriment
When Christmas comes along,

For separated parents
Whose turn it is to grieve
While children hang their stockings up
Elsewhere on Christmas Eve,

For everyone whose burden
Carried through the year,
Is heavier at Christmastime,
The season of good cheer.

That’s why the baby’s crying
There in the cattle stall:
He’s crying for those people.
He’s crying for them all.

*

Christmas Cards:

Cards to the very old
go out like doves
who will bring back news
of one kind or another.

It may be a sign of life -
a few sentences
in a shaky hand,
I hope that you are well.

It may be a letter
from a friend or relative
who found my address on the back:
I am very sorry to tell you…

This year two cards,
both to widowers,
came winging back with labels:
Addressee gone away.

I open my Christmas list,
find their names
and type d.2016.
I could remove them

but that would leave
no trace of them
and I’m not quite ready
for them to disappear.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful new addition to our Christmas books. Shared 3 with the family this evening at bedtime

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite 4 ever ❤️

[Alisa Cupcakeland · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only liked one poem about those sadder and less represented Christmas.

[Mary Warnement · Rating 5 out of 5]

I intended to recommend this as a book to give for Xmas, but I also knew I wanted it for myself. It arrived in time for me to take it home. I thought it would be a limp binding from Faber & Faber's poetry series, but it's a small hardcover. It is a lovely volume all around. Cope's poetry made me smile. I read many aloud to my mom, sister Julie, and niece Ashley. I'm not sure how willing an audience they were as they wrapped presents, but they humored me and laughed in all the right places. Funniest: "A Christmas poem" (one of several similarly, simply named) on p. 2 which ended with an honest sense of the season; p. 23 "Christmas Triolet" requires reading to get the amusing puns (which my friend Carolle may not have found as amusing as I when I showed it to her); "Another Christmas Poem" on p. 35 uses the word "bloody," not often seen in yuletide publications. "Christmas Cards" on 29-30 made me swallow hard because so many seem to depart this earth at this time of year.

Michael Kirkham's illustrations suit the subject, and I would be shocked if he hadn't read the poems. I particularly liked the Church on p. 32 to accompany "Cathedral Carol Service," the Suessical branches on p. 2; the mouse on p. 4, and the image following "Christmas Cards" on 31

[Finuala · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

If you like Christian overtones and less of Wendy Cope's sharp humour, this is for you. I'm not keen.

I can forgive a lot for this one though:

Another Christmas Poem

Bloody Christmas, here again.
Let us raise a loving cup:
Peace on earth, goodwill to men,
And make them do the washing-up.


A note on the Kindle version: avoid it like you would The Black Death. Too faint, the print too small, awful layout, cannot highlight quotes. Dreadful.

[Ilina Jha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing like a festive read to kick off the month of December! Some of these poems were fun; others fell flat and were not that interesting to me. However, 'A Christmas Song' and 'Bethlehem' are the standouts for me - the former reflects on those for whom Christmas is a difficult time of the year, while the latter is a painful reminder that Bethlehem is not the safe, peaceful place that we might want it to be.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celebratory, joyful, moving, sentimental, sad and funny, all in a slim and beautifully produced collection.
A taster:
Bloody Christmas here again.
Let us raise a loving cup:
Peace on earth, goodwill to men,
And make them do the washing up.
I reckon this ex-primary school teacher was a cracker in the classroom!
4 stars?
Would have liked a few more gems from Cope.

[Zira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy Cope always amazes me with the way she expresses such profound and complicated emotions with such simple words. Her writing takes you by the hand and goes straight into the soul. "Christmas Poems" offers solace and warmth to everyone for whom Christmas is bittersweet and Christmas cheer is accompanied by sorrow and trouble. A beautiful collection of poetry!

[spotsoftime · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, joyful, heartbreaking collection of poetry from the wonderful Wendy Cope. Slight but perfectly put together and illustrated. I cried at so many: reflecting on loss and loneliness, a particularly poignant wish for peace in Bethlehem but also the absolute joy that young children bring to Christmas. Word perfect.

[Amanda Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gift last year, this finally found a moment as I once again attempt to meet my goodreads target by reading the short books I have accumulated! I find Cope a bit hit and miss generally but I must say that some of these poems really touched me.

[Cheryl Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am new to this poet. I found her voice to be very engaging, nostalgic and lovely. I enjoyed a cup of tea , the sparkling lights of my Christmas tree and this beautiful book of poems that brought a smile to my face and the magic of Christmas poetry to my heart! Loved it!

[Amy Suzanne Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little collection.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Wendy copes poetry. I’ve been to one of her poetry readings which was awesome. I enjoyed this little collection of Christmas poems.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course cannot not think of that section in Bridget Jones with the singleton Christmas poem.

[Calum Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good - as Cope always is
But £7.99 takes the p…

[elisa fernández · Rating 4 out of 5]

qué lista es😭😭😭😭😭

[Phil Altimas · Rating 5 out of 5]

a delightful read

[emma zackarina.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite one is Christmas Ornaments

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short little collection of Christmas poems. I enjoy Cope’s writing, so I enjoyed this too!

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wendy Cope gets it, holiday edition

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and fun read but the poems weren't life-changing. I enjoyed the read but didn't love it

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason, I didn't like this the first time I read it. Almost sold it. Then something told me to read it again this Christmas and - who would have thought - I really enjoyed it. I must be growing up.