Once a month I go to the library
to read to preschoolers.
Books and my voice are my tools,
not pencils and rulers.
Today I was ready to read,
but no children I saw.
Last month there were at least eight,
but......today none at all.
So I searched our small library until,
on his mom's lap, I spied
a little boy who looked at me,
questioning with wide-opened eyes.
They were at the computers and
at first he remained there,
but before long he wandered over near me
and hid......behind a big chair.
I started to read one of the books
I had already brought,
and he soon became the sole member
of the audience I'd sought.
He came out and stood quietly in front of me,
staring as I read,
then off he darted again behind a chair,
just......showing his head.
When I finished one book, he started
to take one from the shelf,
but I encouraged him to choose from those
nearby, which I'd chosen myself.
He picked out one, I read it, then
he picked out another.
After a while, to a nearby table,
along......came his mother.
I would have kept reading …..
past my allotted time,
reading of cats-baking-pies,
and a book full of rhyme,
but my wife was coming soon
to pick me up with the car.
I had fun doing, for One, what,
spelled backwards......is daer.
[make that 'for Two']
(February 28,2014)
Wow---It is a lovely poem. Beautiful the way you attracted the little boy to your reading.I used to take my children to book-fares and purchase many books. They all loved reading books.But now I see they have little time for books and I feel bad about it.s
I'm including this in my October 2022 Showcase of Poems in my list of poems on PH. bri ;)
I consider it to be a very good effort and approach Bri, Thank you
That is SOOO nice :) It is a lovely poem and story. Reading to kids is a great thing to do, it has the potential to open a whole new world to the recipients.
A cute poem- and a good thing you're doing- for the kids- and for yourself. I might have to reevaluate my opinion of you and conclude that you really aren't as bad a guy as everyone says!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
i had to edit to capitalize after at the start of the line after a while, to a nearby table, but it hasn't changed yet. i hope it does before you read the poem. :) bri