Readings from the Pavilion End

Advent Calendar: Shrimp Tree by Gourmet Magazine (1966)

If you are still wondering about what to bring to the Christmas Potluck, how about a Shrimp Tree, dressed to impress? This recipe was found in a 1966 edition of Gourmet Magazine. Interestingly, in the same year, the Florida Department of Natural Resources also distributed a similar recipe card to encourage the use Florida seafood products in their holiday meal planning.
Intro music: Santa's Lunchhour, Free Music Archives

Advent Calendar: Talking Turkeys by Benjamin Zephaniah

This poem was recorded in 2023, shortly after the death of British poet Benjamin Zephaniah. No surprises that he was also a vegan: be nice to yu turkeys dis Christmas!
Intro music: Santa's Lunchhour, DeeYanKey, Free Music Archives

Advent Calendar: The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus by Ogden Nash

Today's poem was written in 1942 by American poet Ogden Nash. It is about a child, not born in Bethlehem but Baltimore. All ye who sneer at Santa Claus, beware and take heed from this cautionary tale of Jabez Dawes. 
Intro music: Santa's Lunchhour, DeeYanKey, Free Music Archives

Advent Calendar: Christmas by John Betjeman

Today's poem is richly descriptive of familiar Christmas tropes like snow, silver bells, presents in neat setsets only to bring us to the sobering question of the Christmas story: is it true, is it true? Betjeman leaves us to wonder alongside in the Divine Mystery of it all. 
Intro music: Santa's Lunchhour, DeeYanKey, Free Music Archive

Advent Calendar: The Oxen by Thomas Hardy

Today's poem was first published on Christmas Eve in 1915, when WWI was well underway and would continue to 1918. The poet recalls an old folk tradition in which oxen were said to kneel at midnight to mark the birth of Christ, whilst finding in himself only a faint hope and nostalgia for simpler times. 
Intro music: Santa's Lunchhour, DeeYanKey, Free Music Archives

Advent Calendar: Rebecca, Who Slammed Doors for Fun and Perished Miserably by Hilaire Belloc

This one is for the kids, naughty and nice: a cautionary tale about a little girl who will not be receiving presents this Christmas. Find the poem here. 
You might also enjoy Season 2 Episode 7. 
Intro music: Santa's Lunchhour, DeeYanKey, Free Music Archives

Advent Calendar: A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas

Today, a vivid portrayal of Christmas around a sea-town corner in Wales by Dylan Thomas. Emerging from an earlier piece written for BBC Radio in 1952, the work recalls Christmas from the perspective of a young boy. Here in busy Singapore, it is Sunday, a good day to savour this scene from long ago and far away. Find the text here. 
Intro music: HolyNight Lo-fi, Hozlina (FreeMusicArchives)

Advent Calendar: Mistletoe by Walter De La Mare

Today's poem is dreamy and romantic, for Anita, whose birthday was celebrated yesterday on 5 December. Find the full poem here. 
Intro music: Holizna Holy Night Lo-fi (Free Music Archive)

Advent Calendar: [little tree] by e e cummings

Today's poem was published in January 1920, one of e e cummings' earliest published works. As with many of cummings' poetry, it is best visualised on a page to appreciate its playful and deceptively simple construction. Take a look and find a commentary here. 
P.S. Spread the cheer, share this with your friends!
Intro: Santa's Lunch hour (Dee Yan-Key, Free Music Archive)

Advent Calendar: The Christmas Life by Wendy Cope

Count down to Christmas with an Advent calendar of readings. Today's poem is by Wendy Cope, after a child said, "If you don't have a real tree, you don't bring the Christmas life into the house." Hear Cope's narration here.
P.S. We don't all have the luxury of a real tree, but this podcast is free so share it with your friends!
Intro: Santa's Lunch hour (Dee Yan-Key, Free Music Archive)