I never send my wife a Christmas card. I could say I believe them a rip-off in the sense of the price, the queuing to pay for it and the sentimental old tosh that’s written inside, but none of those are the real reason. I just hate spending money!
Instead, I write a poem then have it printed on a card that fits into her handbag and trust it’s liked enough to be carried. This is the one for this year (2015)
My heart had been split…………..Open wide
The love had been cut…………….From deep inside
My soul had been opened……… ..And then left bare
Without any hope…………………Remaining there.
The love you gave……………… Was free from cost
Its purity restored…………………That which was lost
Side by side we stood …………….As one
Until all but love………………… Had passed and gone.
© 2015, Danny Kemp. All rights reserved
About Daniel Kemp
At the age of seventy-six, Daniel Kemp has started his second year of studying the science of Psychology at the Open University. He is a member of The Society of Authors and also a bestselling writer. However, in early September 2025, he was diagnosed with cancer. He is now in palliative care at home, being looked after by his ex-wife. When he was writing his novels, he enjoyed writing stories that appealed to those who liked challenging themselves to solve mysteries that were set out before their eyes, but they couldn't.
His introduction to the world of espionage and mystery happened at an early age when his father was employed by the War Office in Whitehall, London, at the end of WWII. However, it wasn’t until after his father died that he showed any interest in anything other than himself!
On leaving academia he took on many roles in his working life: a London police officer, mini-cab business owner, pub tenant and licensed London taxi driver, but never did he plan to become a writer. Nevertheless, after a road traffic incident left him suffering from PTSD and effectively—out of paid work for four years, he wrote and self-published his first novel —The Desolate Garden.
Within three months of publication, that book was under a paid option to become a $30 million film. The option lasted for six years until distribution became an insurmountable problem for the production company.
All ten of his novels are now published by Next Chapter Publishing Company which has added an edition titled The Heirs And Descendants Collection, which holds all four books of that series, alongside an edition titled The Lies And Consequences Collection which contains all four volumes of that series.
He is the recipient of rave reviews from a prestigious Manhattan publication and described as—the new Graham Green—by a highly placed executive of Waterstones Books, for whom he did a countrywide tour of book signing events. He has also appeared on 'live' television in the UK publicising his first novel.
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A beautiful idea Danny. Down deep you are a true romantic. How lovely to be able to carry your thoughts of love with her all year. Kudos. :o)