Monday, March 26, 2012

I am from books

I am from stories read from books and
told around big tables
filled with too many arms and legs and not enough chairs,
but plenty of laps.
I am from books stacked on bricks and boards
behind the chair by the fireplace and stashed
in a small green suitcase.
I am from books carried on trips,
and into trees,
making anywhere I went seem like home and home
feel like a place far, far away.
I am from book lovers
who bought, borrowed, and shared favorites,
never thinking that a story was beyond
the reach of my eager eyes.
I am from fingers running gently and reverently
over new covers,
of inhaling the scent of pages opened for the first time
or the 2nd, the 10th, the 100th time.
I am from poems of childhood remembered
and wonders found in the pages
of yellow-bordered magazines
on the table by grandpa's chair.
I am from books and stories and magazines and newspapers,
surrounded by words and worlds,
filling me up
but never so full
that there wasn't room for more.

8 comments:

  1. You are a reader! I see stacks of books all around you. A huge smile on your face. Thanks for sharing your I am... slice. :)

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  2. Ruth, your poem fills me up too, so many parts to it that are mine. You really touched me with those "yellow-bordered magazines on the table by Grandpa's chair." I remember so many quiet evenings sitting with my grandparents, each of us reading. Your poem is wonderfully filled with details, all different perspectives at who you are from a reading point of view. Just wonderful!

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  3. But never so full there wasn't room for more.

    I am capturing that line and tucking it in my pocket tonight. I love the way you chose a single aspect of you-ness to focus on in your "I am from" poem. It is very effective.

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  4. The "I am from" poem format is timeless. I enjoyed that you had one strong focus for the entire piece. I tried to pick a favorite line, but I couldn't because I enjoyed reading and rereading every single one of them.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Mandy @ The Chockboard

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  5. This is a great format for teachers AND for kids...but your writing is magical. I can see the hosue now...overflowing with books and with love.

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  6. This post was worth the wait... your words are always so well crafted and magical. Thanks for sharing who you are with us.

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  7. 'I am from words and worlds' is my favorite. You go places when reading. Love this glimpse into your past.

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  8. Ruth,

    I like the way you focused on one very significant part of you in this poem. So many effective lines, but I am especially fond of the words and worlds that fill you up...there's always room for more. ~Theresa

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