Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by Linda Baie at Teacherdance HERE . Stop by and see what she has for us today. Thank you, Linda!
I enjoyed National Poetry Month so much that I missed National Library week from April 23-29. I love that libraries have always been safe places.
Like many others, I credit my love of books and even much of my happiness when I was young, to both the sense of peace and excitement I found in stories from the library, fiction and non-fiction.
The library I went to when I was a child
I wrote a poem this week thinking of the childhood friend who I knew when I was about seven. I have no idea where she is now, and she has no idea, I’m sure, how grateful I am to her.
MY BOOK FRIEND Jackie, my friend who lived next door. taught me well what books were for. She had no sisters, or brothers, too, but lots of games, more than a few. On Saturday we sat and read the stack of books piled on her bed. “Come to the library,” she said one day and once I did, I longed to stay. So many friends I found in books, with different lives, different looks. Cover to cover, we thought to see who we could grow up to be. ©Janice Scully 2023 (DRAFT)
This week I got two new books in the mail, MONSTERVILLE by Laura Shovan, Illustrated. by Michael Rothenberg,
and FATHER GOOSE: Treasury of poetry, by Charles Ghigna, Illustrated. by Sara Brezzi.
Can’t wait to read them.
I have some reading to do. I’m waiting for this book by my friend, Ellen Ramsey, illustrated by MacKenzie Haley:
It will arrive in July. I hope they all will be available in libraries. Have a great weekend, Everyone. Thank you Linda for hosting Poetry Friday.
Oh, it’s the sweetest story, Janice: “who we could grow up to be.” Libraries are so wonderful, I agree. And, I received those two books, too, & have pre-ordered Ellen’s book. Much to look forward to, right? Thanks for your library love.
I don’t think anyone at my school knew it was National Library Week because all focus is on state testing. Ugh! I’d prefer to spend time with a friend, sitting on her bed, reading a book. My friend and I read all the Judy Blume books together.
I’m jealous of your two new books. They are both in my wishlist and I haven’t clicked on purchase yet. I need to correct that today!
And,
Today I award you the silver medal of Poetry Pandemonium 2023. Your poem, ‘A Perfect Place’ was the semi-finalist in our final figurative language match-up. The winning poem? ‘Together’ by Irene Latham. Well done, Ms. Scully. Now, when does your published collection come out? I’m ready! So are students in my school.
That’s wonderful, Linda! I’m honored by your students and be sure to thank them for the honor. My published collection? I keep writing. 🙂
I love your poem!!! I grew up across the street from a library. And when I say across the street, I mean when the basketball rolled across the street it rolled onto the lawn of the library. I also had a friend that I used to hang out at the library with. The library was built on the banks of a creek and was flooded in 1988 and eventually moved to its new location. The building itself stayed there for more than 30 years but about 2 years ago they demolished the building. My parents are selling their house next month but to me that library will always live on and my parents will always live across from it.
Thanks for sharing that. I love thinking about the attachments we make to land and community places like libraries.
Hi Book & Library Booster. So much joy in your tribute poem. I’m thrilled to see Monsterville, which is new to me. As a fan of both Laura & Michael, who had enlivened our local poetry scene in his last years & who left this Earth too soon last fall, I’m looking forward to buying this. Many many thanks.
That ending, Janice–lovely. I need to read Laura’s and Charles’ newest books!
Love your sweet Book Friend poem, Janice! What wonderful memories of reading together. I feel the same about libraries — they’ve always been my favorite place to visit ever since childhood. I know you’ll enjoy your new books!!!
Thanks for sharing your poem Janice! It sounds like she was a good friend indeed. 🙂 I’ll be interested to see how this Father Goose compares to the Father Goose book by L. Frank Baum (likely WILDLY different). I’ve been wanting to read the Baum one for a while… maybe now, I’ll have a little Father Goose readathon!
Book friends, the best–sitting side by side, silently engrossed, until it all bubbles out and you have to read one simultaneously out loud, disturbing the whole library! Sweet little poem, Janice.
Janice, your words are a beautiful ode to both the library and your friend. My mom gave me a beautiful tradition as a 7 year old: walk to the library every week with my library card in my pocket and a dime (for a donut) in the other. I’ve loved books and glazed donuts to this day. 🙂
That’s wonderful that your mother did that. And I’m sure that donut added tremendously to the experience! I wish I’d thought of that when my kids were small.:)
Love this stanza, Janice! “Come to the library,” she said one day / and once I did, I longed to stay.
Love the lively rhythm in your library tribute poem! I just opened Laura’s new book and am looking forward to reading it, love the delightful monsters in it by Michael. Charles’ book looks enchanting, thanks for all Janice!
Thanks Michelle! I love your new art work!
What a lovely tribute to your friend, Janice. I have fond memoried of Saturday trips to the library as a child.
Hooray for books and libraries! I have many fond memories of the stacks we brought home every week from our small town library. When we went to Denver for a major shopping excursion at the mall, the bookstore was always the first place we stopped!