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The last straw
poems introducing readings for a carol service

→ The fall

→ Unto us a child is born

→ The word

→ The Annunciation

→ The nativity

→ The shepherds

→ The magi

→ The flight into Egypt

The poems of The last straw were written to be read by one person acting as a narrator or commentator. Each poem comes immediately before the corresponding Bible reading, while the Bible passage itself is read, as is the usual custom, by a different person each time. The narrator should not read from the same lectern (or other location) as the bible readers. The poems may of course be used independently of one another, and in other contexts. 

Written for the carol service at St John's, West Ealing in December 1997.