"A Visit from St. Nicholas" turns 200 this year!

Fun fact: The famous poem by Clement Clarke Moore is written in Anapestic Tetrameter.

Last week, we learned that an anapest is a “foot” consisting of a “da da DUM.” Tetrameter is four “da da DUM”s in one line.

Try clapping out the rhythm and notice the words that get the most emphasis:

🟩T'was the NIGHT before CHRISTmas when ALL through the HOUSE🏠

🟩Not a CREAture was STIRRing Not EVEn a MOUSE.

This is a great comedic and narrative device. Another poem that uses this is Dr. Suess's "Yertle the Turtle." Take a look below:

🟩And toDAY the Great YERtle, that MARvelous HE.

The more I dive into the poem, the more I learn and enjoy. As a Mrs. Claus who can work alone without a Santa, I want to offer fun educational sessions about poetry. Write to me at mrsclausnyc@gmail.com if you’d like a fun lecture, online or in person. Follow my lessons on Instagram and Facebook.

"A Visit from St. Nicholas" turns 200 this year!

Last night, I hosted an online lesson about the poem’s form, history, and legacy. It was a practice session for me. I want to be conversant on-the-fly. Four professional Clauses and my aunt showed up on Zoom. We practiced saying “anapestic tetrameter” 10 times. No one got hurt!

The more I dive into the poem, the more I learn and enjoy.

Anapestic tetrameter is a poetic form from Polish literature that includes four poetic "feet," or rhythm patterns, in one line.

For example: T'was the NIGHT before CHRISTmas when ALL through the HOUSE

Try clapping out the rhythm and notice the words that get the most emphasis.

Stay tuned for more fun facts about this famous poem.

As a Mrs. Claus who can work alone without a Santa, I want to offer fun educational sessions about poetry. Write to me at mrsclausnyc@gmail.com. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for weekly poetry lessons.