DailyPost’s idea for today: Write a haiku about something that drives you nuts. So here’s mine:
Haikus are poems
With really specific rules.
They drive me insane.
I majored in English at university (if you missed that about me). During one of my poetry classes, we were required to write a sonnet. I wrote an entire 14-line poem, in iambic pentameter, with an ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme, about how much I hated writing sonnets.
My professor loved it.
Well, the countdown calendar I’ve had for many years now looks like this:
Yes, I'm a Disneyphile, what of it?
…so it must be time for the iconic Christmas poem! Not that it matters when you can’t see me (I did think of doing a video, but there were technical difficulties with the fireplace), but I’ll be reading from this edition, bought on a whim a few years ago when I realized I didn’t own a copy of Clement C. Moore’s poem. It’s gorgeous:
So without further ado:
The Night Before Christmas
by Clement C. Moore
Because it’s just not Christmas without the old grouch, is it?
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
by Dr. Seuss
Part 1:
Part 2:
We are snowed in today. In Minnesota, this phrase is not used lightly. Just walking across the street to the supermarket was…interesting.
I’ve always loved Shel Silverstein’s poetry, so finding a Christmas-themed poem of his made my day. I hope you enjoy.
Christmas Dog
by Shel Silverstein
This is an odd one I found whilst browsing Project Gutenberg; it shows a rather vindictive side of ol’ Kris.
The Goblins’ Christmas
by Elizabeth Anderson
Just a short one today. Oi, I can hear you cheering; stop it before you hurt my feelings.
If you cannot see the player above, click here.
Hey, look! It’s me in a silly hat!
*gloomy voice* "Thanks for noticin' me."
That’s my sole Santa hat, put up as a holiday-themed peace offering so I can sneak in a reading of a poem that has nothing to do with the holidays, just because I like it.
The Cockney Amorist
by John Betjeman
If you cannot see the player above, click here.
Blame @wombat37 for this one. He did this:
Wombat's Musical Advent Calendar day 01 – Audioboo: http://t.co/eONczfF via @Audioboo—
Michael Wombat (@wombat37) December 01, 2010
…which inspired me to embark upon a similar project. Since Wombat has the musical side covered (do follow his tweets or boos for more!), I thought I’d do a series of holiday-themed readings (English degree, remember?). There will be some poetry, some excerpts from classic stories, perhaps even a couple “multi-episode” readings for the really special stories. If you have any requests or suggestions, please share! Try to stick to public domain material, so I don’t have to worry about copyright (a couple of exceptions will be made, that I think will be covered under Fair Use).
Without further ado, we begin with a poem near and dear to my family, what with my brother-in-law being a U.S. Marine up until his retirement six months ago:
Merry Christmas, My Friend
by LCpl James M. Schmidt
(Original version, 1991)
If you cannot see the player above, click here.
NB.
1) The common Marine exclamation of “Semper fi” is short for “Semper fidelis”, the motto of the Corps. The Latin translates to “Always faithful”.
2) “Eagle, globe, and anchor”.
