YOUR POEMS

A DOG IS FOR LIFE, NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS by Valerie Allcock, of Chaddesden Oh please, please, let us have one, For many weeks the children say, We want a puppy to play with, Amongst our toys on Christmas Day.

So, much too young to be parted, From his own caring mum, A puppy joins your family,

To be centre of all the fun.

But Christmas is soon over, The novelty wears thin,

And when he wets your carpet, The end is in sight for him.

He only wants to please you, He looks and gently wags his tail, But then you see the carpet, And he hears you scream and wail.

You didn’t really want him, He didn’t cost you much,

And already you have doubts about him,

For cringeing at your touch. Then he’s in your garden,

And soon the busy street,

He’s someone else’s problem now, The dog, your children’s Christmas treat.

Don’t buy a dog for Christmas, To please your kids or wife, Unless you want to give him, A home of love ... for life.

CHRISTMAS DAY by Viv Wigley, of Mackworth

She bought him some socks and a bottle of Old Spice, quite cheap, but she did like the smell, he watched her unwrap her new ironing board, and from then on the day would be hell.

He opened his first can at twenty past ten, sprawled out on the couch in his vest, she stood in the kitchen, and chopped up the veg, her scowl said she wasn’t impressed.

After burnt turkey and cold Christmas pud, the seventh can poured down his throat, they both tugged and fought on the living room floor about who should have the remote.

The arguing stopped when a footman appeared, saying: “Your Majesty, I beseech that you please follow me, it’s two minutes to three and time for your annual speech.”

■■Would you like to see your poems in print? If so email opinion@derbytelegraph.co.uk or post to Poetry Corner, Derby Telegraph, 2 Siddals Road, Derby, DE1 2PB