The Writers of Wales Database

CHRISTMAS, MARK

Mark Christmas was born in Newport and has been writing poetry for over six years. After an early career in the British Army (living in Cyprus, Germany and the UK) and as Aftersales Manager in the motorcycle industry in the North of England, he has now turned his attention to writing and the study of Psychology as he pursues his interest in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

He published his first collection Rollercoaster Emotion in 2006 and has since had work published by the Forces Literary Organisation Worldwide (FLOW) and Forward Press. Mark Christmas lives with his family in Mid Wales.
 

Reviews
With respect to The Abandoned Soldier:
"…In this collection of poems Mark Christmas fulfils his ambition to raise awareness of ex-service people who suffer from combat-related trauma. Many bear, "an injury not on show", some are, "psychologically busted" and have difficulties in building a, "mental baulk" against "some terrifyingly intrusive past". His poems are powerful because he is sparing in his use of horror and because he exercises a measured restraint. He universalizes the experiences of war by inhabiting a variety of personae from Diogenes: "Let him tramp the streets / embalmed in the thoughts, / of who he is, / was, / or might be" to the telegram boy who delivers bad news but who is still determined to enlist. He refers to the First and Second World Wars and Northern Ireland as well as contemporary wars in Iraq and Afghanistan…"
Chris Kinsey – BBC Wildlife Poet of the Year 2008


Selected Publications:
Rollercoaster Emotion (Write Books CPR Limited, 2006)
The Abandoned Soldier (Silverwood Publishing, 2010)
 

The Abandoned Soldier (Silverwood Publishing, 2010)

This new collection was written over a period of years, while the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were being reported by the media on the 'home front'.

For some readers, the journey through this writing will be like opening Pandora's box. For others, the poems will strike a chord of truth. The aim of the publication is to rally support for the soldiers and veterans who may be receiving little assistance despite having served their country.

To purchase this title from the publisher, please click on the front cover