A Visit from Saint Nicholas - a Poetry Friday post

[kellyrfineman]

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, there was no such thing as childhood. Oh sure, there were babies born, and young human animals who were expected to shape up and become sentient beings, but the idea of childhood as we know it did not exist. Nor did children's literature.

Comments

[jamarattigan]

What an amazing woodcut! My favorite part of this poem is when his little round belly shakes like a bowl full of jelly. Can't get past that, somehow . . .

[kellyrfineman]

Hee.

[kellyrfineman]

Well, which style did you use?

And best wishes for the holidays, and luck on the job app.

[liz_scanlon]

Yep, I'm a fan of the "As dry leaves" bit. Sigh. This is such a nostalgic piece. I remember cuddling up with my sister in jammies listening to my dad read this. Every single Christmas Eve. We had to read it just the other night here at our house because once a year is simply not enough.

[kellyrfineman]

I agree. And this one BEGS to be read aloud. Almost all poetry is better that way, of course, but this is one of those ones that's truly splendid aloud.

reindeer

[houseofglee]

If I recall rightly, this poem is from where we get the names of the reindeer.

Re: reindeer

[kellyrfineman]

*ding ding ding*

You are correct, madam. Although these days most folks use "Donner" instead of "Donder." He also explained the chimney entrance and exit (although the finger aside of the nose bit is swiped from Washington Irving, I believe).

[saralholmes]

I always liked the part where he gives his team a whistle. Cool man, that St. Nick. And the fact that he can "spring" to his sleigh with all that jelly belly going on.

[kellyrfineman]

He's got mad skillz.