A Visit From Saint Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore performed by James Navé

I'm James Navé with The Imaginative Storm Writing Project. Today, I’m delighted to perform “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore—more commonly known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Moore (1779–1863) was a writer, scholar, and professor of Oriental and Greek literature, as well as a philanthropist and land developer. His poem is widely credited with shaping American Christmas traditions. Does Santa look like this? "He had a broad face and a little round belly That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself." One of my fondest memories of this poem is watching poet Allan Wolf, during the Asheville Poetry Slam in December 1992, wrap himself in flashing Christmas lights and spin wildly while performing it. One of my fondest memories of this poem is watching poet Allan Wolf, during the Asheville Poetry Slam in December 1992, wrap himself in flashing Christmas lights and spin wildly while performing it. Though I’ve never donned Christmas lights myself, I’ve always loved how the poem’s rhyming narrative bounces along. Some performers punch the rhymes, but I prefer understating them and letting the story carry you through. Enjoy!