The Oysters Cried

Photo by Erin Alderson

“A loaf of bread,' the Walrus said,
‘Is what we chiefly need:
Pepper and vinegar besides
Are very good indeed —
Now if you're ready, Oysters dear, we can begin to feed.'

But not on us!' the Oysters cried,
Turning a little blue.
‘After such kindness, that would be a dismal thing to do!'
‘The night is fine,' the Walrus said. ‘Do you admire the view?”

This portion of the classic Looking Glass “Walrus and the Carpenter” poem was the inspiration for the last feast’s oyster bar with salt and pepper bread. There’s also plenty of butter referenced later in the poem by the carpenter, so buttered toast with radish, salt, and pepper was the way we began to step through the Looking Glass! It was a simple enough start, but behind the accompanying oyster bar was a mirror ringed with oyster shells. This was placed there to invoke the psychological concept of the “Looking Glass Self”. That concept is when we see ourselves through the eyes of others, and speaks to how our interpersonal interactions shape us.

As this is the last feast, I am feeling nostalgic: The Curated Feast has been shaped by the amazing creative friends we have gotten to collaborate with over time. Thank you to everyone who has attended and supported in any way. You made the feast a dream come true!