30 Days of Books ~ Day 22

Day 22 ~ Favourite Book You Own

I was never super close to my maternal grandfather. My grandparents were divorced and he lived away my entire life. There were visits and phone calls here and there, but he had remarried and had a life with his new wife and the child they had together. So, I was very surprised when he gave me an old volume of Longfellow's poems a few years before he died. I didn't have it handy to take a picture, sadly, so this is definitely not the right edition... But, of all the books I have received over the years, it is the one that I consider the most special. (Even though I am not really a huge poetry reader...)

Poetry Project - November Wrap-up

November was all about War Remembrance. I went back and visited WWI a few times. It is great to read posts by people actually from that time writing about the experiences they have lived through. You can see me talk about a few of those poems here and here.

Kristin at Matched: Reviews and Recommendations had a hard time finding a post at first, but she went with 'The Cherry Trees' by Edward Thomas.

Over at Orisi's Blah Blah Blah we are introduced to the poem 'The Speech About Peace'.

We then head over to visit Nancy at simple clockwork. She posts about the poem 'Short Time' by Jaime An Lim.

Jeanne from Necromancy Never Pays returns with 'Cemetery Nights' as her selection for the month.

We then have Amy from New Century Reading. She read 'The End and the Beginning'.

Lastly, we pay a visit to Come, Sit by the Hearth where she shared 'For the Fallen' as her poem.

Thanks to everyone that joined in!!

Next month Leslie will have Mr. Linky. The topic is Holiday Poems/Mid-Year Reflection. If you choose to talk about Holiday Poems you should sign-up for Virtual Advent!

Poetry Project for November Reminder

1 Apr 2013

Description:

From "My love is like a red, red rose" to "the best laid schemes of mice and men" to the timeless words of Auld Lang Syne, the poems and songs of Robert Burns are familiar to readers the world over. Lyrical, acerbic, comic, bawdy, democratic--they have a vernacular energy and simple beauty that have ensured their lasting popularity.

This marvelous new selection offers Burns's work as it was first encountered by contemporary readers, presenting the texts as they were originally published. It reproduces in its entirety the volume which made Burns famous--Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, published at Kilmarnock in 1786--and it showcases a generous selection of songs from The Scots Musical Museum and A Select Collection of Scottish Airs, complete with their full scores. Robert Irvine's Introduction examines Burns's life and career, the publication of his poetry, his later concentration on song writing and song collecting, and the political contexts in which he wrote, both local and national, before and after the French Revolution. Comprehensive notes describe the circumstances in which other poems and songs found their way into print, both before and after the poet's death. The edition also includes early reviews and important letters by Burns, a glossary of Scots words that explain obscure expressions, and explanatory notes clarifying historical references, composition and publication details, and much more.

Handsomely produced with original illustrations, maps of places often mentioned in Burns's poems, head and tail bands, and a ribbon marker, this superb selection makes an ideal gift for anyone who loves poetry, folk music, Scottish culture, or Romantic literature.

This should be good, huh? It is on NetGalley if anyone is interested. I am thinking that if the Poetry Project continues you will see a Robert Burns month.

Don't forget this months topic: WAR REMEMBRANCE! You can share your posts here.

The Poetry Project - War Remembrance

I have been sort of thinking about all the changes last nights election means for Women and history, so I decided to find a poet that was from WWI and a woman for today's poetry.

I started with 'To My Brother'. According to a biography I read about the poet, Vera Brittain, her brother Edward was her younger brother and he died in 1918. He was one of many deaths she had to contend with while the war raged on, but she had a special connection with this brother. While she did write poetry during the war, she also continued being inspired by the events of the war for the rest of her life. Her poetry is often related to WWI. From what I can gather 'To My Brother' was written while the war was still going on and her brother was still alive.

I then moved on to 'May Morning'. I didn't think it had anything to do with the war at first, but then I got to page two and things got rather depressing. It is a poem about spring and how wonderful spring used to be, but she is now having a hard time enjoying it. Her love died during the war. The coming of spring doesn't bring the hope that it used to bring. She wants it to, but is never sure if it ever will. I think the contrast between the past hope and the present despair was a good way to capture the feelings she was experiencing.

Don't forget to share your own 'War Remembrance' Poems for November. If you post about them, you can find Mr. Linky on this post from last week.

Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori - Poetry Project November

I have been reading war poetry... Can you tell? I do not normally speak in Latin  but 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori' means 'it is sweet and right to die for your country'. I thought it was a fitting title for the month. You can just say "War Remembrance" or something along those lines.

The title actually comes from me reading 'Dulce Et Decorum Est' by Wilfred Owen. I was googling WWI poets and he was one that came up. I read him ages ago, but I don't really seek out and read poetry enough to call myself an expert on his poetry. I just was looking for WWI-related stuff. It's hard to believe this poem didn't stick with me more. It is graphic and descriptive of the events of WWI. I have always paid more attention to WWII than WWI. I think it was because several of my relatives had lived through that and were still alive when I was growing up. It is gaining popularity right now because the 100th anniversary is not too far away.

Then I moved on to 'Here Dead We Lie'. It is by A E Housman. It ends with the line 'And we were young'. You can't help pausing and thinking just how young. The sign-up age was 18, but kids lied and joined in anyway. It was definitely a different time. I wonder often how the same situation would be handled in this day and age. Kids are used to a very different lifestyle. Would they rush to join up? Lie about their ages? It's something I hope we never have to test...

Another poem that I had on my mind was written in response to 'In Flanders Fields'. I included the original poem on my post the other day. I honestly only knew that one existed and racked my brain trying to think of how it goes. It turns out that there are lots of responses to the famous poem. It was interesting to read poems written over the years in response to a scribbled few lines on a battlefield. Every year when Remembrance Day comes around I get another poem in my mind. It is a considerable amount longer, but it is actually the fourth stanza that I always remember:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; 

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, 

We will remember them.

You can read the full seven stanzas here.

Share your own War Remembrance poems below. I look forward to the posts!

Poetry...

I failed on the Poetry Project lately. I am a bad co-host! I am back to host for November, though, and I am determined to get back on track. Mr. Linky won't be up until Wednesday, but I wanted to at least announce the topic for November: War Remembrance. This can be interpreted anyway that you choose. I just thought it was a fitting topic for November.

The poem that I always think of during this time of year is 'In Flanders Fields'. I even have it memorized. I find this fact very impressive. I decided to share it below and look forward to whatever others read during this month.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

 The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

  The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Poetry Project - Classical Poetry

Happy Wednesday, everyone. This means it is time for the September announcement for the Poetry Project. We had a great turnout in August for 'Pulitzer Prize Winners'. This month we are looking at Classics. (You can interpret that category anyway you like.) And, remember, you do not have to post about the theme to participate. It is just a suggestion for people that are not sure what they want to post about. The important thing is to talk about poetry, have fun, and post about it in Mr. Linky.

Poetry Project - Pulitzer Prize Winners

To finish up Pulitzer Prize month for the Poetry Project I decided to read the other half of the Robert Frost collection I started last week. I am very happy with myself for reading two poetry collections this month. That is more than I generally read in a year. And, they were both good. Plus, thanks to the wonders of online reading they were easy to get access to.

The Aim was Song

Thoughts: This is a poem about man trying to change the way that wind blew. Apparently before men it blew anyway it wanted and they taught it that the aim of it should be song. A nice poem about the wind.

Blue-Butterfly Day

Thoughts: A short pretty poem that is hard to sum in words. I think it is better to just read it yourself and appreciate it.

Good-by and Keep Cool

Thoughts: Saying good-bye to an orchard. Orchards are a big thing here because we are known for our apples. I am sure many a farmer knows the feeling that this poem expresses...

The Kitchen Chimney

Thoughts: A poem about a chimney is an interesting topic, huh? It works, though, and ends with wonderful imagery that I think most people can relate to.

Gathering Leaves

Thoughts: ah, yes, gathering leaves. This will be happening here soon because the trees are starting autumn all ready. When they change colours it is great, but then they are bare trees. We see bare trees longer than pretty, fully-leaved ones. It's sad!

A Hillside Thaw

Thoughts: This is a poem about lizards. I don't really have the same experience here, but Frost makes it sound really cool!

Our Singing Strength

Thoughts: I do know what it is like to have snow in spring. The ground is too hot all ready and the snow doesn't always stick. Then the snow keeps coming and eventually you start to know that it snowed. The roads are the last to be covered at that point. Frost makes it sound like a wonderful thing. We don't necessarily think so when it happens...

In a Disused Grave Yard

Thoughts: This is an interesting poem because I was in a disused grave yard just the other day. This was because it is full and the graveyard is old. We couldn't help being sad by the shape it was in, though. Along a nearby building there is a couple rows of the tops of knocked off grave stones. It's sad. The graveyard is in an unfortunate town, too. University... Alcohol... I am sure that while some fell down because of age the others had help...

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Thoughts: I like the title... It also plays a part in the poem. Worth checking out!

The Onset

Thoughts: Another poem that talks about snow... You would swear Frost was visiting Canada for this collection. Snow is a big topic of conversation. Snow when it is not 'expected' like in this poem is normally expressed in a different sort of colourful language than this poem is.

Two Look at Two

Thoughts: A poetry about nature. A quiet moment with a deer and a buck and interacting with nature.

A Boundless Moment

Thoughts: Another nice moment with nature. I like the line: 'A young beech clinging to its last year's leaves'.

The Valley's Singing Day

Thoughts: 'The Valley's Singing Day'. A nice image, huh?

Plowmen

Thoughts: Another poem that is too short to really say too much about, but I will point out how once again it sounds like this area.

The Lockless Door

Thoughts: I like this stanza:

So at a knock
I emptied my cage
To hide in the world
And alter with age.

Remember that Leslie has Mr. Linky and the wrap-up for August. I will be back next Wednesday with the Mr. Linky for September. The topic is Classics. (Hopefully if you find that over-whelming our resident poetry expert, Leslie, will share some suggestions like she did for Pulitizer winners.) If you post in between this week and next, just share your link on the September Mr. Linky. Then you will be included in the wrap-up for that month. And remember, the aim is to read poetry. The themes for each month are just suggestions.

Poetry Project - Pulitzer Prize Winners

I am doing well. I read most of another poetry collection! I will hopefully post the other half next Wednesday. The poems are from New Hampshire by Robert Frost. The collection won the Pulitzer in 1922. I was drawn to this collection because Nova Scotia is a lot like New Hampshire geography-wise and I thought I could easily relate to the poems. I was right!

'Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening'

Thoughts: Living in a place where snow is the norm I really liked this poem. I can picture the snow falling and having one of those moments where you just stop to watch. It is the darkest night of the year so that means the first day of winter. In those early days, at least for me, winter is still pretty. Then it drags on and people get depressed.

'The Grindstone'

Thoughts: Who knew someone could write an entire poem about something as simple as a grindstone. It harkens back to the olden days when things were simpler. There is a lot to say about the effort behind the times. Nowadays it wouldn't be as much fun to write a whole poem about the minor conveniences because they are so easy that there is not much to say about them.

'Fragmentary Blue'

Thoughts: A poem about the colour blue. What a wonderful idea! I have been a bit obsessed with the sky lately, since joining Instagram, and it has given me a new appreciation for a poem exactly of this nature. It is too short a poem to say much about it.

'Dust of Snow'

Thoughts: Another poem about snow that I can relate to entirely. It is a nice simple poem. I like it. It is again too short to say much about.

'The Runaway'

Thoughts: This is the poem about a young horse left out alone in the snow. It is amazing how Frost can take something that doesn't sound very interesting and make it interesting.

'For Once, Then, Something'

Thoughts: Another pretty poem. I like how it sort of builds up to end on a note that I enjoyed. This one is set during the nicer seasons and ends by saying: 'Truth? A pebble of quartz? For once, then, something'. You will have to read the whole poem to find out how it leads to that.

'To Earthward'

Thoughts: For starters, I really like the title of this poem. And then you read it, and you find you really like the beginning of the poem, and then you find yourself caught up in it and then you read it a couple more times. And then? You write a really horrible sentence about it, but believe you probably get the general idea across.

'A Brook in the City'

Thoughts: This poem makes me think of my hometown. I was there just recently and there were many things that I knew that had changed. There were ponds that were filled in, lakes that had new dams, etc. I knew they were there, but progress had changed things. In this poem it is a brook that has a city built up and eventually is filled in. The poem asks the question, though, whether it is still there hiding and keeping the city awake.

'Evening in a Sugar Orchard'

Thoughts: This is an example of why I liked this poem:

The sparks made no attempt to be the moon.
They were content to figure in the trees
As Leo, Orion, and the Pleiades.
And that was what the boughs were full of soon.

Need I say more?

'Misgiving'

Thoughts: I always find that Robert Frost captures the things we deal with everyday in a really nice way. I haven't read anything by him in years, but this has been a nice reminder. I think everyone has 'misgivings' and this poem captures that process very well.

'On a Tree Fallen Across a Road'

Thoughts: This poem is about exactly what it says. It is another example of something so simple that Frost turns into a pretty poem that is enjoyable to read. I have always loved trees and anything to do with them and was always fond of the fact that he talks about trees often in his poetry.

'The Need of Being Versed in Country Things'

Thoughts: I really liked this part of the poem:

Their murmur more like the sigh we sigh
From too much dwelling on what has been.

Isn't that a pretty way to capture something we are all guilty of at one time or another?

'I Will Sing You One-O'

Thoughts: This is the first poem I wasn't enamoured with. It isn't terrible and does have some good lines, but there are better poems in the collection.

'Fire and Ice'

Thoughts: This debate is going on still. I like his take on it. It should be called 'Fire or Ice'...

'To E.T.'

Thoughts: This poem is different from the others in the sense that instead of being about nature it is a letter of sorts to someone that died during WWI.

Don't forget that Mr. Linky is at Leslie's Blog this month. You can find it here. At that link you can also see some suggestions for what to read. There is still a week left! For those that are looking to plan ahead I will be hosting 'Classic poetry' next month. 

Poetry Project - Pulitzer Prize Winners

The theme for the second month of the revamped Poetry Project is Pulitzer Prize Winners. For those that are wondering Leslie has Mr. Linky this month.

For those of you that don't remember, poetry is not really my thing. This is part of what lead to the Poetry Project period. So, I couldn't tell you a Pulitzer winner to save my life. Thankfully, Leslie loves poetry and she provided a list of suggestions. Lists are good. I can work with lists. I decided to do my post on Edna St. Vincent Millay because the collection that won, The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver is available in the public domain. Easy enough and can be found by clicking here.

I started with 'The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver'. This is the title poem in the collection and you can read along and listen to Johnny Cash recite it on YouTube. Isn't technology grand? I have embedded it below.


Thoughts: I have found over the years that while I do not enjoy reading poetry as much as some people; I do enjoy listening to it being recited. While listening I followed along and it made the experience that much better. Yes, Johnny Cash takes a few liberties with the lines, but very minor. I was left thinking that Christmas stuff is awful depressing! There was some magic presented, but it reminded me of all the popular Christmas stories and how bad things always seemed to happen. On the one hand people are singing how it is 'the most wonderful time of the year' and on the other hand a little boy is cold, clothes-less, and has very little to eat. I thought Johnny Cash captured the lines well and Edna wrote a poem that could still easily translate to today.

'A Visit to the Asylum'

I found this recitation on YouTube. It is not Johnny Cash...

Thoughts: This poem was kind of over before I really got into it. I liked that the other poem took longer to build so I could get into it and appreciate what was going on in it. The poem is about exactly what the title says and is good. I like the way that Edna writes. She is not overly showy and uses just the right words to get her point across. I appreciate that about her.

'The Concert'

Didn't find a recording of this one...

Thoughts: This was fun. It is one side of a conversation written in such a way you know what the other person is asking. She then goes on to a longer passage about why her lover cannot come to the concert with her. She has quite a connection to music. You can appreciate what she addresses in this poem.

'Departure'

I did find a recording but I hated it so much I got distracted from the poem. Up to you if you choose to look it up...

Thoughts: I like this poem. It starts off very well saying:

It’s little I care what path I take,
And where it leads it’s little I care;
But out of this house, lest my heart break,
I must go, and off somewhere.

I think the girl daydreaming is easily related to when you have to go somewhere and you are not entirely sure about it. Another poem that can easily be related to today.

'Feast'

I didn't bother to find a recording. A very short one.

Thoughts: Frankly, I am not entirely sure I even get this poem. I tend to over-think and make it much more complicated than it needs to be... So, feel free to chime in with your interpretations.

'Sonnet I, II, III, IV, V, VI'

I am pretty sure my quite search found audio recordings of these, but I decided to just read them.

Thoughts: I have always enjoyed Sonnets. I like them by Shakespeare more than his plays, for example. And most of the poets I typically read write sonnets. I think they add more depth to a poem. For me. This means that I generally get them. Other stuff? It is very hit or miss. I think this relates to what I said above about thinking too much... Anyway, my favourite was III. It is about a book and women readers. Overall, a good collection.

'The Wood Road'

I couldn't find a recording.

Thoughts: I love nature. I loved this poem. It was a great way to finish out the collection.

The Poetry Project - Month One Wrap-up

Hi everyone! Welcome to the first wrap-up post to the newly revamped Poetry Project. If you missed the Mr. Linky you can always post on Leslie's blog for August and be included in the wrap-up then. Hopefully we will get into a rhythm soon. The theme for August is a poem by a Pulitzer-Prize winning author. Remember, though, that the theme is only a guideline and you can post about whatever you want.

Vasilly answered the questions provided.

Chris did, too.

Snowball shared some haikus that she wrote herself. She also joined in for the meet-and-greet.

Trish spent a Sunday answering the meme questions for the first month.

Sara answered the questions as well.

You can read the answers from Gavin to the questionnaire here.

Geeky Daddy answered the questions here.

Janna, a new to me blogger, also answered the questions.

Amy, a poet in her own right, joined in as well.

Evelyn, who has lots of postcards and no one to mail them to, answered the questions here.

Then, Snowball joined in again to share a poem.

Lizzy also chose to share a poem.

Lastly, at Reading Rendevous Reviewz we are delighted with a collection of poems.

Then, Leslie and I also answered the questions.

***jessicabookworm: I promise I didn't skip you, but I couldn't get any of your links to work. It comes up saying your blog is private and asks me to log in!

The Poetry Project - Introductory Meme

This months topic for the revamped Poetry Project is to answer the questions Leslie and I came up with. We decided to go back and start from the beginning. Here are my answers:

1) Why do you want to join the Poetry Project?

This project was all born out of Twitter and me wanting to read more poetry in 2012. I am at least reading it, but it is still sporadic. I am hoping that the more organized structure will help! And, since I am one of the co-hosts it helps to actually participate. I have never really 'got' poetry, so this is me trying to figure out if I like it.

2) Do you have a favourite poet?

When asked this question I always say Emily Dickinson. I haven't actually read a poem by her in years, but it at least was an answer... Truthfully, I don't read enough poetry to have a favourite. I seem to like the 'older' ones, though: Tennyson, Browning, Barrett Browning, Rossetti, Shakespeare, etc.

3) Hopefully this will go longer than a year. Do you have any suggestions for monthly themes?

I am hoping we will have enough participants that they can suggest the next twelve topics.

4) What are your experiences with poetry in the past? Have they been positive or negative?

Negative. I never see what I am supposed to see. It was terrible in high school. In university I just avoided poetry whenever possible or just never wrote any papers on it. There have been a few exceptions over the years and I think if I only took the time to explore it in an un-academic setting it would go a lot better.

5) Tell us about a poem or poet that has had a profound effect on you. If you can’t think of a poem, how about a song? Or a line from a story?

Such a hard question!! One of my favourite writers of songs is Neil Peart from the band Rush. I even shared a few of them on a previous post. He has songs that are inspired by books. He is a big reader himself. And, there is a lot of meaning in his lyrics. Take this song that was written after a 5-year hiatus following the death of his wife and daughter:

"Ghost Rider"

Pack up all those phantoms
Shoulder that invisible load
Keep on riding North and West
Haunting that wilderness road
Like a ghost rider

Carry all those phantoms
Through bitter wind and stormy skies
From the desert to the mountain
From the lowest low to the highest high
Like a ghost rider

Keep on riding North and West
Then circle South and East
Show me beauty but there is no peace
For the ghost rider

Shadows on the road behind
Shadows on the road ahead
Nothing can stop you now

There's a shadow on the road behind
There's a shadow on the road ahead
Nothing can stop you now

Sunrise in the mirror
Lightens that invisible load
Riding on a nameless quest
Haunting that wilderness road
Like a ghost rider

Just an escape artist
Racing against the night
A wandering hermit
Racing toward the light

From the white sands
To the canyon lands
To the redwood stands
To the barren lands

Sunrise on the road behind
Sunset on the road ahead
There's nothing to stop you now
Nothing can stop you now

6) What frustrates you about poetry or the way we talk about poetry?

Frankly, the pressure? The poet takes all this time to write these however many lines for a purpose and I am not always entirely sure what the purpose is... I always feel like I am missing something. Or I see things that are not there. I can't sit back and enjoy the ride. I think it is different with music because it is presented in a different way. Yes, it is a form of poetry but it is more relaxed.

7) Tell us something about yourself that has nothing to do with poetry!

I can't really compete with Leslie's. I have snow all the time in the winter... um... Anything to do with the ocean interests me: Sailing, lighthouses, rum running, etc, but I absolutely hate swimming. I can swim, but I avoid it like the plague. I also avoid the sun as much as possible. So, even though it is very hot going to sit on a beach and/or swimming is not my idea of how to spend it...

Mr. Linky can be found on this post.

Poetry Project Revamp

Hi everyone,

Leslie and I decided that our previous Poetry Project wasn't working. I was constantly having people tell me that they forgot all about it. As the point was to have more people reading poetry, we wanted to take a moment to step back and see what we could do to make things better. We were thrilled by the people that remembered every month, and we hope they will continue to participate! We have only made a few changes.

First, we have come up with guideline topics for each month. You do not have to post about the guidelines. They are just for people that have a hard time coming up with a post idea. Here are the topics for the next year:

July – Kelly – Meet and Greet Questionnaire
August – Leslie – Read a poem by a Pulitzer Prize Winner
September – Kelly – Read a Classic
October – Leslie – Halloween Poems
November – Kelly – War Remembrance
December – Leslie – Holiday Poems/Mid-Year Reflection
January – Kelly – Christina Rossetti
February – Leslie – A poem about love, hate or heartbreak
March – Kelly – New Release (2012/2013)
April – Leslie – What could have made you appreciate poetry more when you were younger? How would you raise a poetry reader?
May – Kelly – Endicott Studios
June – Leslie – Read a poem from the original lists.
July – Kelly – Shakespearean Sonnet

Second, you can now post whenever you want. If you still want to post at the end of the month that's fine, but I was even finding the certain days kind of restrictive. And, you can post more than once. If you want to post every Wednesday, for example, and put your link in the Mr. Linky that's perfectly okay.

Which leads to the third thing. We will now be putting Mr. Linky up the first Wednesday of the month. That way you can write your post and then link it. You don't have to wait and then maybe forget. The Mr. Linky will rotate. This month I have it, next month Leslie has it, etc. When we do the wrap-up posts at the end of the month we will refresh your memory about who has Mr. Linky and what the topic is. I also created a tab for the Poetry Project.

So, for a relaunch we decided to start back at the beginning and do a questionnaire. If you don't want to answer the questions just remember the topics are only guidelines and you can post about whatever you want.

Questions:
Why do you want to join for the Poetry Project?
Do you have a favourite poet?
Hopefully this will go longer than a year. Do you have any suggestions for themes?
What are your experiences with poetry in the past? Have they been positive or negative?
Tell us about a poem or poet that has had a profound effect on you. If you can't think of a poem, how about a song? Or a line from a story?
What frustrates you about poetry or the way we talk about poetry?
Tell us something about yourself that has nothing to do with poetry!

Here is the Mr. Linky for July, but you can also post your links from June here, too. If you don't, we will!

Poetry: Read More/Blog More – A Monthly Event! -Month 5

One of my favourite ways to experience poetry is through music. And, I am the sort that actually pays attention to what they are. There are some songs that are insanely popular and I just don't get how when you listen to the terrible things that the lyrics say. When I met the guy we went on a road trip and he was playing this band called Rush. I had heard of them, but never really paid a lot of attention to them before. Initially, I wasn't very impressed. But, we had my car and he left their CD in there. I am terrible about changing what I am listening to, so I wound up driving around listening to Rush and they slowly grew on me. Neil Peart, the drummer, has written many of the lyrics and he is also an author. I enjoy both and thought I would share some of the lyrics to my favourite Rush songs for my Poetry post this month.

"The Trees"

There is unrest in the forest

There is trouble with the trees

For the maples want more sunlight

And the oaks ignore their pleas

The trouble with the maples

(And they're quite convinced they're right)

They say the oaks are just too lofty

And they grab up all the light

But the oaks can't help their feelings

If they like the way they're made

And they wonder why the maples

Can't be happy in their shade

There is trouble in the forest

And the creatures all have fled

As the maples scream 'Oppression!'

And the oaks just shake their heads

So the maples formed a union

And demanded equal rights

'The oaks are just too greedy

We will make them give us light'

Now there's no more oak oppression

For they passed a noble law

And the trees are all kept equal

By hatchet, axe and saw

"Freewill"

There are those who think that life has nothing left to chance

A host of holy horrors to direct our aimless dance

A planet of play things

We dance on the strings

Of powers we cannot perceive

'The stars aren't aligned

Or the gods are malign...'

Blame is better to give than receive

[Chorus:]

You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice

If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice

You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill

I will choose a path that's clear

I will choose freewill

There are those who think

That they were dealt a losing hand

The cards were stacked against them

They weren't born in Lotusland

All preordained

A prisoner in chains

A victim of venomous fate

Kicked in the face

You can't pray for a place

In heaven's unearthly estate

[Chorus]

Each of us

A cell of awareness

Imperfect and incomplete

Genetic blends

With uncertain ends

On a fortune hunt that's far too fleet

[Chorus]

"Red Sector A"

All that we can do is just survive

All that we can do to help ourselves is stay alive

Ragged lines of ragged grey

Skeletons, they shuffle away

Shouting guards and smoking guns

Will cut down the unlucky ones

I clutch the wire fence until my fingers bleed

A wound that will not heal

A heart that cannot feel

Hoping that the horror will recede

Hoping that tomorrow we'll all be freed

Sickness to insanity

Prayer to profanity

Days and weeks and months go by

Don't feel the hunger

Too weak to cry

I hear the sound of gunfire at the prison gate

Are the liberators here?

Do I hope or do I fear?

For my father and my brother, it's too late

But I must help my mother stand up straight

Are we the last ones left alive?

Are we the only human beings to survive?

"Limelight"

Living on a lighted stage

Approaches the unreal

For those who think and feel

In touch with some reality

Beyond the gilded cage

Cast in this unlikely role

Ill-equipped to act

With insufficient tact

One must put up barriers

To keep oneself intact

[Chorus:]

Living in the limelight

The universal dream

For those who wish to seem

Those who wish to be

Must put aside the alienation

Get on with the fascination

The real relation

The underlying theme

Living in a fish eye lens

Caught in the camera eye

I have no heart to lie

I can't pretend a stranger

Is a long-awaited friend

All the world's indeed a stage

And we are merely players

Performers and portrayers

Each another's audience

Outside the gilded cage

[Chorus]

These are just some of my favourites. What are some of your favourite lyrics? Mr. Linky is up on Regular Ruminations. I hope people are joining in!

Poetry: Read More/Blog More - A Monthy Wrap-Up in April

Morning Ladies and Gents,

Today is the wrap-up for the Read More/Blog More - Poetry Event. We have decided to make a few changes, so I will start with those.

Firstly, we have decided that instead of posting on the last Tuesday of every month, we will give a longer period of time in which to post. Instead, we are planning to extend it to the Monday to Thursday at the end of each month.

May - May 28 - 31
Jun - June 25 - 29
Jul -  July 23 - 26
Aug - August 27 - 30
Sep - September 24 - 27
Oct - October 29 - November 1
Nov - November 26 - 29
Dec - December 24 - 27


Secondly, we are keen to hear what you think of the Poetry idea and what changes you would make. We are trying to encourage poetry reading, so anything that leads to more people reading it is a bit help.

April Poetry Wrap-Up:

Lizzy Siddal @ Lizzy's Literary Life talks about the book Reading Shakespeare's Sonnets by Don Paterson. It sounds work checking it out, so you should check it out.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity talks about The Day the World Ends by Ethan Coen. It is not entirely positive, but it is still worth a read.

The Parrish Lantern is all about the poetry this month. She shares poems by Haris Vlavianos. Then, she talks about The Making of a Poem. And finally she talks about the National Poetry Month in the USA.

Kaye @ the road goes ever ever on talks about Hamlet by Shakespeare.

Snowball @ Come, Sit by the Hearth talks about Haiku poetry.

Leah @ Books Speak Volumes talks about Emily Dickinson. What's your favourite poem by her?

Care @ Care's Online Book Club is her normal creative self. Check out her post!

Then, we have the poem 'From Eloisa to Abelard' by Alexander Pope.

Jeanne @ Necromancy Never Pays talks about The Auroras by David St. John.

Once Upon a Time Meets Poetry - Poetry: Read More/Blog More - Take 4

Hi everyone! Welcome to the fourth month of the Poetry - Read More/Blog More Poetry Event. We are changing things up a bit this month. It is Once Upon a Time, um, time, so I am in a fantasy mood even if I haven't really been reading, well, much of anything lately. So, last month I told Lu I was going to read some poetry by Jane Yolen (not sure why her... Maybe a post?). We decided we were going to read her together. Then, I decided I should find something. While searching I ended up on the Endicott Studio Website and there is a huge list of poems that are connected to Once Upon a Time. After a few emails, we are going to read this list instead. We hope that others will join in, too, so we can talk about the whole experience in December.

The way we are doing it is that I am starting at the top of the list and Lu is starting at the end, so eventually we hope to both read all of the poems, but each months post will be original. And, since they are online, it is easy for others to join in, too. I started the project this month, so you will see my poems and thoughts below. I had also planned to work on the poems on my original lists, but I sort of ran out of time. I thought I had another week...

Anyway, I have Mr. Linky this month, so look forward to seeing your posts!

Also, we have decided that in December we will be giving away a poetry book, of Lu's choosing, to one lucky person that has participated over the 12 months that we have been hosting the event.
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'Beauty and the Beast' by Jaimes Alsop - Read April 13, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
When it comes to Disney I have always been a big fan of Beauty and the Beast because Belle was a reader. I know it is not a true representation of the fairy tale, but I can't help being drawn to anything to do with the story. Alsop was inspired by the fairy tale to write this poem and put his own spin on it. It is a different tale again, but it is also closer to the original story than Disney had it. Recommended.

'Shirt of Nettles, House of Thorns' by Nathalie F. Anderson - Read April 13, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
I am not sure what to say about this poem. It neither amazed me or disappointed me. It just was... I might have to read it again. Not one of my favourites.

'Soft Addictions' by Nathalie F. Anderson - Read April 13, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
Now, this poem I get. I was a little worried that Anderson was not for me, but she captures something that makes a lot of sense here. Actually, everyone should go read this because it is a very different approach to the life of loyalty and connects well with 'real' life. Recommended.

'Rose Red and Snow White' by Kim Antieau - Read April 13, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
Now this was different, too. I have never actually read the original fairy tale this is based on recently enough to remember all the details. I have been clouded by the new versions that are found in popular fiction, but I remember enough to think this poem is a good look at that original story. It is from a modern viewpoint which is helpful when reading older things... I think anyway. Recommended.

'The Girl Without Hands' by Margaret Atwood - Read April 13, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
I think after I read my poems for this month I am going to have to do some other research. I had no idea there was a fairy tale called 'The Girl Without Hands'. That means I probably am missing some of the elements to the poem, but I don't think I lacked too badly. Atwood is a gifted author, even if she doesn't always work for me, and I think this is the first time I have tried her poetry. It wasn't bad.

"Night Thoughts: Scheherazade' by Ari Beck - Read April 13, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
This poem is inspired by 'Arabian Nights'. This is yet another thing on the long list of things that I have only experienced as a retelling. I still think I got this poem, but I might have appreciated it more if I had actually read what it was based off of. It wasn't bad.
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'Bone Mother' by Holly Black - Read April 14, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
Holly Black and I have a love/hate relationship. Sometimes I think she is fantastic, but other times she leaves me less than thrilled. When I saw her name on this poetry list I was a bit concerned what this experience would be like, but it turned out rather well. It might be a fairy tale-type poem, but it can easily be represented as 'real life' and their experiences. It wasn't bad.

'Winter' by Holly Black - Read April 14, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
Then there was this one. This one made a lot of sense to me as it encompasses many popular fairy tales. I really enjoyed the idea behind it. Recommended.

'The Stepsister's Story' by Emma Bull - Read April 14, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
Emma Bull is an author I have glanced at before, but I think I might have only read short fiction from her.It was interesting to read her poetry. This is the 'Cinderella' story from the point-of-view of one of the step-sister's. It was actually a really good idea and I enjoyed reading it. Recommended.

'Briar Rose' by Debra Cash - Read April 14, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
As far as I know I have never read Debra Cash before, but this was another poem that I appreciated easily. It is always fun to see fairy tales that you are familiar with told in different ways. That is why there is such a market for the novels and short stories. I am happy to be experiencing some of the poetry. This is the 'Sleeping Beauty' story told from the point-of-view of 'Briar Rose'. It is all the things that are never shared in the original tale because how she felt about everything was not important. Recommended.

'The Mermaid Sets the Story Straight' by Debra Cash - Read April 14, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
Wow, I loved this. Debra Cash is my kind of person! Many of these poems debunk popular stereotypes and such of fairy tales, but not in such a blatant way as this poem. Of the 10 poems I have read so far this is my favourite. Go check it out! Strongly Recommended.
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'Femmes Sauvage' by Johnny Clewell -  Read April 19, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
This poem will make you smile. It is based on 'Little Red Riding Hood' and takes place after the fact from Little Red's point of view. She is talking to her grandmother about her own future. I liked it! Recommended.

'The Iron Shoes' by Johnny Clewell - Read April 19, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
While this poem uses fairy tale elements to tell its tale, it wasn't until I read the information at the end that I discovered it was based around 'East of the Sun, West of the Moon'. I have read re-tellings of that, but I am not so sure I have read the original. It wasn't bad.

'Red Riding Hood Had a Pretty Good Time with the Wolf' by Karen Daly - Read April 19, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
I am not entirely sure what I think of this one. It's an interesting take on the fairy tale... You should just check it out for yourself. It wasn't bad.

'A Cuban Cinderella' by Margarita Engle - Read April 19, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
This was an interesting re-telling of 'Cinderella'. I quite liked it. It is too short to say too much about it, though. Recommended.

'Pear' by Nan Fry - Read April 19, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
It is interesting how these old fairy tales or fairy tale themes can be rewritten to have sexual meanings. Something as simple as a pear can mean so much more if you put the right spin on it.
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'Little Cinder' by Jeannine Hall Gailey - Read April 23, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
This is another feminist type approach to a popular fairy tale. It also could easily be applied to today. Recommended.

'Allerleirauh Reveals Her True Self to the Prince' by Jeannine Hall Gailey - Read April 23, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
Even though I am not sure if I have read the original tale this poem is based on, you can't help being a bit appalled. It's amazing what I didn't notice when I was a kid and reading Grimms' Fairy Tales. Now I pick out all these things and it is disturbing! Recommended.

'Becoming the Villainess' by Jeannine Hall Gailey - Read April 23, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
From what I can gather, this takes elements from many different fairy tales and makes a story. It doesn't credit anything down below and I recognize a couple different stories from reading it. It's another interesting take. Gailey is an interesting poet. Recommended.

'Conversations with the Stepmother, at the Wedding' by Jeannine Hall Gailey - Read April 23, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
Again, this poem could be about any fairy tale with a step-mother present. And again, it is an interesting idea. Recommended.

'Rapunzel Explains the Tower' by Jeannine Hall Gailey - Read April 23, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
So true. When you hear the story this way, it doesn't sound so bad... Recommended!

'Rapunzel: I Like The Quiet' by Jeannine Hall Gailey - Read April 23, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
Again, this poem gives a new perspective to the Rapunzel story that is rather interesting. Recommended!

'The Snow Queen' by Jeannine Hall Gailey - Read April 23, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
I know of the The Snow Queen from reading Fables, but I am not sure I have ever read the original story. So, I am not so sure I can comment on this poem and its connection to that story. I do like it, though. Recommended.

'White Bird Sister: Chu Revisits the Past' by Jeannine Hall Gailey - Read April 23, 2012 - Poem Found Here.
I am not quite sure what this is all about. I think I need a bit of research. I am going to go look Jeannine Hall Gailey up because I want to read her collection...

Poetry: Read More/Blog More – A Monthly Event! -Month 3

Today is the month 3 wrap-up for the Poetry: Read More/Blog More monthly meme. Lu has Mr. Linky this month. She also will be announcing a give-away!

I was planning to read Jason's poems this month. I had found them and was all set to read some of them... Then time went by and here it is the day before my post has to be up! The first few are rather long, so I don't think I could do them justice in one evening. It was bad enough I read all of these poems in one night, but I didn't want to not have anything to post.

“The Morning Again It Was In the Dusty Pines” by Mary Oliver
I wasn't able to find this poem online...

“The Kingfisher” by Mary Oliver (Read March 26, 2012) (Poem found here)
I like poems about nature because I can usually picture the scene. This poem by Mary Oliver uses great imagery and metaphors to create a wonderful poem. I think she captures what it is to be a kingfisher very well and is believable while doing so.

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Kingfisher

“Electrical Storm” by Mary Oliver (Read March 26, 2012) (Poem found here.)
I had to laugh when searching for this poem brought me to Lu's blog.  Anyway, this also captures very well the scene that it is illustrating. I don't think Casey has experienced an electrical storm before, but the cat in this poem got a bit wet from it. I agree with Lu that the last two lines make the poem because they illustrate the destruction that is started in the beginning. It is always sad when storms happen and cause the trees, bushes, etc to lose their pretty flowers. The cat is smart to stay in the warm bed!

“Separation” by W. S. Merwin (Read March 26, 2012) (Poem found here.)
This poem is only 3 lines, but wow, I have to say it makes complete sense to me.

“What the Body Told” by Rafael Campo (Read March 26, 2012) (Poem found here.)
This is a poem that you almost wouldn't think would work, but he finds a way to make it successful. It is interesting that the human body can be used as a metaphor for so much more. It is also a poem about the simple notion of struggling to be successful at what you are attempting to do, in this case be a doctor. He also brings up making your parents proud and never entirely feeling like you have.

“Cultural Stakes: or, How to Learn English as a Second Language” by Kevin A. González (Read March 26, 2012) (Poem found here.)
This is a long poem, but very well done. He easily takes the idea of divorce and addiction and combines the two from the viewpoint of a child. He captures how they see the world very well, but he also shows what they learn from those days of observing. It is never easy to be a child of divorce, but sometimes you just have to make the best of it.

“To You” by Kevin A. González (Read March 26, 2012) (Poem found here.)
This was interesting. I always find it a bit strange when authors include themselves as characters in their books, but where poetry is a more personal experience it does work a bit better. That being said, I thought it a bit strange that he seems himself as 'Kevin A. González' and not as a more informal version of the name. It's a bit of a depressing poem at that.

“Hanging Fire” by Audre Lorde (Read March 26, 2012) (Poem found here.)
Another poem that seems to capture adolescence well. The jumbled, almost run-on sentences of the sub-conscious as you think about everything that is happening around you. There is also a bit about the mother and possibly a bit of isolation because of it. It was a good poem.

“Never to Dream of Spiders” by Audre Lorde (Read March 26, 2012) (Poem found here.)
I am not sure I entirely got this one. I think I will have to read it over a few more times... Poetry is something you need to be able to concentrate on and I think there are too many distractions tonight.

“Dirge Without Music” by Edna St. Vincent Millay (Read March 26, 2012) (Poem found here.) (Or listen to it being read here.)
I have a really hard time thinking of what to say about poetry. I have a book out from the library that is supposed to help with that... I still have only read chapter one. I have lots of projects on the go at the moment... Anyway, even listening to it all I can think to say is it is a wonderful poem for imagery and wording. It captures a feeling that the reader expressed in her voice easily.

“Hearing your words, and not a word among them” by Edna St. Vincent Millay (Read March 26, 2012) (Poem found here.)
This poet really does have a way with words, that's for sure. This is a poem about nature, but it is also about people. I think what she is trying to say is how you speak and words do not always carry, but I am not entirely sure... I tend to be bad at poetry analysis. I'm trying!

“Inland” by Edna St. Vincent Millay (Read March 26, 2012) (Poem found here)
This poem made me think what I often think... I wish I still lived nearer to the water. I live closer than some people, of course, but I used to live closer.

Poetry: Read More/Blog More – A Monthly Event! - Month 1

Today is the first wrap-up post for Poetry: Read More/Blog More – A Monthly Event!  If you are joining in, you will find Mr. Linky on Lu's blog this month.

This Months Poems Recommended by Lu:

'Please' by Yusef Komunyakaa (Poem Found Here) - Read January 8, 2012
First up, I have never really talked about poetry on my blog before, so I am not entirely sure what I am supposed to say. This is a poem that to me seems about the guilt of events from a war. The narrator, or maybe even the author, did something that he is not proud of and is asking for forgiveness. I think the mood is captured very well considering it is on the shorter side. I believe you can feel the emotions that the author was trying to express and I am left feeling bad for the person that feels guilty. I am off to a good start!

'The Sea is History' by Derek Walcott (Poem Found Here) - Read January 25, 2012
I was off to a good start, but the month sort of ran away from me. I wasn't able to find 'At the Screen Door' by the author above, so I skipped down to this one. I grew-up by the sea, so this poems title sounded interesting. As I was reading it I could picture waves crashing through the rhythm of the poem. I think that the author drew some interesting relationships between the sea and history. I enjoyed reading this poem.

'Cottonmouth Country' by Louise Gluck (Poem Found Here) - Read January 25, 2012
This was a bit of a bleak poem. I am not entirely sure what to make of it. I think it would help if I entirely knew what a cottonmouth is. I am not even entirely positive that is a type of plant and not just a metaphor of some sort. If it is a plant, which I know I could easily look up, the poem actually makes a lot of sense to me. It is the sort of thing that could be said about most anything in this day and age, actually. The poem was short, but I don't think it would need to be any longer. It conveys its point.

'All Hallows' by Louise Gluck (Poem Found Here) - Read January 25, 2012
I think so far this poem was my favourite. I think because I live in an area where the story behind it is very easy to relate to even if it doesn't directly influence myself. It is another bleak sort of poem, but that works for it. I also enjoy the imagery. I might have found a poet I like enough to explore outside of this list.

'October' by Louise Gluck (Poem Found Here) - Read January 25, 2012
The list from Lu only includes the first section of the poem, but I figured while I had it all there in front of me I was going to read it. Once again it is a depressing poem, which is sad because October is my favourite month of the year. That being said, when you read the overall poem you can appreciate why the tone is what it is. Plus, I am starting to get into the rhythm of reading poetry today and appreciating the wording and imagery all that much more.

'At the Fishhouses' by Elizabeth Bishop (Poem Found Here) - Read January 25, 2012
I was planning to move on to some of Jason's list, but then I noticed that this author had a connection Nova Scotia. As I live in Nova Scotia I was curious about her. This poem was so easy for me to read and picture in my minds eye because I have seen many of the things she captures. She expresses herself wonderfully and there are lines where I was thinking 'Wow, she captured that well...' Maybe I like poetry more than I thought... I still can't imagine reading whole collections of it, but this is fun so far!

'First Death in Nova Scotia' by Elizabeth Bishop (Poem Found Here) - Read January 25, 2012
This is how I figured out that Bishop had a Nova Scotia connection. A poem set in Nova Scotia by someone that lived her for a time is of interest to me. This poem was slightly different than the other poem I read by her, but still very well-written. I would have enjoyed seeing Nova Scotia itself through her eyes, but her mention of loons and 'Maple Leaf Forever' were good examples of the Nova Scotia she would have known at the time.

'The Bat' by Claudia Emerson (Poem Found Here) - Read January 25, 2012
I figured while I was on a roll I would check out this author. I have had bats in the house so I know how unpleasant they can be. I was saying on Twitter the other day that I am always a bit worried they will get tangled in my hair. I don't really mind them otherwise. In the warmer weather it is quite common for you to be outside and see them swooping around. I don't think I would be very happy if someone attacked one with a broom, though...

'Daybook' by Claudia Emerson (Poem Found Here) - Read January 25, 2012
I think my biggest issue with poetry is that I am not so good with the abstract. When I read something I prefer knowing what is going on. This poem does exactly that. It captures something that you can entirely relate to and understand. There is still good writing and imagery but I don't have to second-guess myself for knowing what this poem may or may not be about. I like that better.

Then, I moved on to one of Jason's Poems:

'Goblin Market' by Christina Rossetti (Poem Found Here) - Read January 25, 2012
When I first received my list from Jason and saw this poem on it I got a bit excited. I have always enjoyed this poem and even own a copy of a book where it is the title poem. I own very little poetry, so this is a huge distinction! I am thinking that anyone that enjoys this poem will have lots of other treasures for me to explore. It basically ties into my enjoyment of fantasy and fairy tales. And really, folks, this is Dante's sister. If you haven't read it you should go and do so!

A New Monthly Event!

In December I posted about my desire to read more poetry in 2012. I even shared a couple lists that were favourite poems of Lu and Jason. In the comments people expressed an interest in also reading more poetry in 2012 and, after some discussion, a meme was born.

Now that the New Year has come and gone and you’ve started on all your challenges and readalongs, Lu and I would like to jump in and add just one more. Instead of a readalong or a reading challenge, though, this is a blog-along with one goal: blog about poetry once a month. 

If you regularly read poetry, if you’re just starting to explore the form, if you want a reason to read more, but most of all, if you want a place to talk, gripe, or wax poetic about poetry, this is your blog-along. If you want a place where you can ask questions about poetry, share your favorite poem, discuss how poetry makes you feel, this is just your kind of event. 

Most of all, this is a laid-back way to get the book blogging community posting about poetry. This isn’t necessarily a challenge to read more poetry, though we hope you will! (Check out Serena at Saavy, Verse & Wit’s awesome poetry challenge!) There is only one rule: post about poetry once a month, on the last Tuesday of the month. Then Lu and I will write a wrap-up post the following Friday to keep the discussion going.

Poetry: Read More/Blog More – A Monthly Event!

1) Post about poetry on your blog on the following dates:

January 31st

February 28th

March 27th

April 23rd

May 29th

June 26th

July 31st

August 28th

September 25th

October 30th

November 27th

December 18th

2) Sign up with Mr. Linky! (Please link to a post specifically about this event if possible! You will find the Linky on Lu's Blog here.)

And, if you need any inspiration for what poems to read, be sure and check out the lists I posted back in December!

Virtual Advent 2011

Twas the Night Before Christmas

by Clement Clarke Moore

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Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

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The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

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When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

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The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

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With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

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"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

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As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

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And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

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He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

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His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

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The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

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He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

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He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

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He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

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For our post this year Carl suggested we explore this famous poem through pictures. I am looking forward to seeing in what direction Carl takes his post.  You can see it yourself by clicking here. I think, though, the best way to explore this poem is through this Christmas special based on the famous play:

I have been thinking a lot lately about traditions. One of them is easily the Virtual Advent Blog Tour. It is hard to believe this is our 6th year hosting it! Thanks to Marg for another wonderful year! I look forward to next year! Another tradition has become Carl and I posting together.

I might not have anything specific story-wise, but for me Christmas has always been about movies and music.

This is one of my favourite songs from one of my favourite Christmas movies. With the snow falling like crazy outside I can definitely feel Christmas in the air. I know that you don't need snow for the holiday, but it always makes it feel more Christmasy. I am hoping it will stick around for the actual day. We have had a few green Christmases in the row.

Some years I watch more holiday movies than others. This year it was mostly revisiting some that I hadn't seen in years.

I will end this post by wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to those don't celebrate.