In My Mind.... Poem by Susan Birch

When I was very young, each book I read
was another rung on the ladder to a world
I secretly built in my head.
A quiet middle child, I lived in my mind.
For there was my library filled with characters
And scenes, anything I could find
Which appealed to my impressionable heart.
So, book by book, I climbed above the wall
of my quiet, obedient life and played my part.
I stood tall and rejoiced in derring-do,
Rode horses, cast spells, defended realms
From shore to shore and I sailed and flew.
And so the ladder stretched over each barrier
With each book-step something grew
Within me, my soul changed into a warrior
who wielded words, understood right,
Loved this bountiful Earth and the Heavens
Adored the fierce Sun and the gentle, still Night.
For in both worlds these were the constants
that gave without end and cherished my attention
And named me friend. Books gave me my soul-song.
My Mother said ' she's always got her head in a book'
Never realising she was completely wrong.
I always had a book in my head.

© Susan E Birch - November 2015
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