This week: Capturing the Magic Edited by: Lilli ☕  
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"Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing, but of reflection."
– Unknown
"Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine; Love was born at Christmas, Star and angels gave the sign."
– Christina Rossetti
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."
– From Elf
"The holiest of all holidays are those
Kept by ourselves in silence and apart;
The secret anniversaries of the heart..."
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem
"Give me the end of the year and its fun.
When most of the planning and toiling is done;
Bring all the wanderers home to the nest..."
– Edgar Guest
"To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark.
Go without sight, and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings..."
– Wendell Berry (on winter darkness)
"When winter winds are piercing chill
And frosty crystals deck the pane..."
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Woods in Winter"
"We remember them
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter..."
– "We Remember Them" by Rabbis Sylvan Kamens and Jack Riemer
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Are you having trouble knowing where to start with a holiday poem? Here are some ideas to kickstart your verses.
 1. Engage the Five Senses
Avoid clichés like “joy is in the air.” Instead, show your reader why the moment is special by focusing on specific details:
Sight: The amber glow of a single candle or the chaotic tangle of multi-colored lights.
Sound: The rhythmic “thwack” of a wooden spoon against a bowl or the hushed silence after a snowfall.
Smell: Peppermint, damp wool, or the sharp ozone of a chilly wind.
2. Find the “Small” Story
The holidays are often associated with “big” themes like Peace or Love. However, poetry thrives in the miniature. Rather than writing about “The Spirit of Christmas,” write about:
The mismatched ornaments that were inherited from a grandparent.
The steam rising from a mug between two chilly hands.
The way the house feels once all the guests have finally left.
3. Choose Your Structure
You don’t need to be a master of sonnets to write a moving poem. Choose a form that fits your mood:
Free Verse: No rhyme or meter required. Perfect for modern, conversational reflections.
Haiku: Three lines (5-7-5 syllables). Great for capturing a fleeting winter image.
Acrostic: Use a word like “WINTER” or “GATHER” as the first letter of each line to get you started.
4. Embrace the “Blues":
Not every holiday poem needs to be jolly. Some of the most resonant poetry acknowledges the quiet or the melancholy—missing a loved one, the darkness of the winter solstice, or the yearning for peace. Authenticity often carries more weight than forced cheer.
Here’s an idea: Before you begin writing, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. What is the very first holiday memory that pops into your mind? Start your poem there.
Holiday Word Bank:
A Cozy Interior
Amber, Hearth, Spice, Simmer, Velvet, Zest, Crackle, Steeped, Bloom
Wintry Exterior
Brittle, Ink-blue, Frost, Crisp, Skeleton trees, Lace, Glint, Obsidian, Shiver
The Emotional Touches
Heritage, Hushed, Stillness, Belonging, Echo, Tether, Shared, Unfolding, Trace
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| | Santa-verse (E)
Shadows and Light Poetry Contest Entry December 2025 - Round 150 - Winner
#2350963 by Lovina  |
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https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
In response to my last Poetry Newsletter, ("To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme!" ),@teegate I received the following:
Claevyan  wrote:
"In regard to full rhymes, slant rhymes, near rhymes, and inline rhymes, I've recently worked on an updated this piece: "Dawns watch"
I'd greatly appreciate some feedback on how well, or not well, it reads.
I try to use rhythm and rhyme to convey emotion and feeling beyond the words of the poem. The way something is said changes how we feel about it.
The word chosen can be quite specific in its meaning. It's like somebody took versus somebody acquired. On the surface they have the same meaning, but in context they can convey very different emotions to the reader."
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on the newsletter. I will give your poem a look!
TeeGateM  wrote:
"Thanks for including The Leader of the Pack.
Very kind of you. It is one of my favorites.
Kind wishes, Tee"
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Poetry: December 24, 2025 Issue [#13513]
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