Monday 24 December 2007

A cold coming we had of it...

Here's one for the season, TS Eliot reading his poem Journey of the Magi.

On a very different note, it was a poem (Twas the Night Before Christmas) first published by an anonymous North American in 1823, that is largely responsible for the conception of Santa Claus from the mid-nineteenth century to today, including his physical appearance, the night of his visit, his mode of transportation, the number and names of his reindeer, and that he brings toys to children! Despite this revelation, I'm still hoping for a bumper stocking...

Happy holidays and a peaceful new year to all.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi River, Congrats on your new title. Was good to see you at sound will catch up on the 12th at library theatre.

west

Anonymous said...

River - congratulations on your appointment, and on this brilliant blog. Great to see someone else spreading the word! I hope we'll meet soon and possibly get the chance to work together in 2008 - all best wishes for a productive year, Jo Bell (Cheshire Laureate 2007 - so last year!)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for reminding me about this one and for letting me hear Elliott reading it. Just right for Epiphany

Anonymous said...

Hi River. I'm using this blog to contact you as i can't find another way! Sorry if it's inappropriate. I have just read you piece in Writing Works on working with M.E., and wonder if you can suggest further ways..I am a M.E.sufferer, and am doing a Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes Diploma at Bristol Uni with Claire Williamson. I would like to concentrate on working with M.E. and other chronic illnesses. Can you suggest readings or approaches which may be useful for me to use for myself and others?
Sorry again if this is not the place to ask this!
Best wishes
Rob Henley

River Wolton said...

Hi Rob
Thanks for getting in touch, would be happy to help in my way that I can. Can you email me: poetrivia {at} gmail [dot] com (the at and dot are written in the usual ways -I'm spelling them out to confound spammers).
all the best
River