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lost leaves
Like children I have lost,
I miss those books I gave away.
Each lonely, loose-leaf page
I long for on this dreary day.
Some other hand now holds,
some other soul they soothe and still.
(I rue those wasted years
when I had reading-time to kill!)
One author, you may know.
(I dare not spell his noble name)
When father bid me read;
I sneered, to my eternal shame!
But that was in my youth,
when blinded to the gentle gleam
of chapters’ golden glow,
I deemed those words a dead-man’s dream.
Like ghosts that glide and grieve,
they haunt, today, my dusty shelf.
Those volumes were, I vow,
the better part of my sad self.
Review Request (Intensity):
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What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?
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Is the internal logic consistent?
Last few words:
The poem is basically a lament over books that I possessed as a youth. Not seeing their value or beauty, I gave them away, and now that I have grown to love and appreciate literature, I'm sad that I lost these precious volumes, which my father had given me.
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Comments
Geezer
Wed, 2023-02-15 09:36
If I had kept...
every book that I have ever read, I wouldn't be able to get around my house and moving would have been much more of a nightmare than it ever was! There are a few books that I regret losing, but mainly because of their novelty. One was
"Bulfinch's Mythology" printed in 1889 and another was a set of traveling books, by Rudyard Kipling. They were about the size of modern paperbacks but bound in hard-cover, red leather and printed in 1910. The rest of any books I have given away; I gave them to good homes, with the admonishment to give them to people that would appreciate them. That is my pay it forward. I still do that with the books I buy at the book sales at the library. When I'm done with them, I pass them on to friends.
Thank you for this great poem about the books in your life. ~ Geezer.
.
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Blue-eyed Bolla
Wed, 2023-02-15 12:47
lost leaves
Thank you, Geezer. Yeah, I'm a bit of book collector. I was just musing one day on my many missing volumes that I had let go and this turned into a poem. Your mention of Bulfinch's Mythology send me going through my book shelves! I still have it, a 1964 edition!! Phew. Again, thanks for taking the time to read and feedback on my poor little rhymes.
KBloor
author commentGeezer
Wed, 2023-02-15 20:38
Yeah...
that Bulfinch's Mythology is a great book; that is one book that I have read more than a few times. Can't wait for the next book sale at the library! On Sat. they have $1.00 hard cover books and .50 paperbacks, but on Sunday, it's $2.00 a bag full! I would like to go both days, so that I can get some of the newer Sci-fi, but usually I just get to go on Sun. [The library is close to the Community College and Union College and the college students, pick out all the sci-fi they can find on the first day.] Anyway, yeah, glad that you still have that Bulfinch's, it will be worth something someday, [if it's not already!] Good reading friend! ~ Geezer.
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There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.
Abby
Wed, 2023-02-15 11:17
Yes! I completely relate to
Yes! I completely relate to this. Every book is so precious even if we don’t realize it at first.
"To fly is to fall."
Blue-eyed Bolla
Fri, 2023-02-17 05:48
lost leaves
Thank you Abby.
KBloor
author commentLavender
Wed, 2023-02-15 12:21
lost leaves
I can understand your loss, especially since they were gifts from your father. Some books are part of our souls, more than inanimate items on our shelves. I have had to downsize, and books are the hardest thing to part with, and the last to leave. But space and personal growth need cleansing every now and then. This poem is so reflective of our relationship with the written word in book form. Touching.
Thank you!
L
(I recently acquired a book from my childhood by purchasing it online. Not the same as an original book once gifted, but warm, wonderful memories, nevertheless.)
Blue-eyed Bolla
Fri, 2023-02-17 05:47
lost leaves
Many thanks, L. Like you, I myself managed to get hold of a book that I lost from my past. Again, thanks for taking the time.
KBloor
author commentRosewood Apothecary
Thu, 2023-02-16 13:06
I’m super attached
To my copy of The Hobbit. It’s a crappy paperback with terribly yellowed pages. The cover has been separated from the glue binding for decades. It smells like a million wishes. It was the first book remember reading and falling in love with. Not being able to put down that I’ve actually retained a copy of.
You did a good job with your poem. I definitely knew where you were going with it and you have a nice timing.
Tim
Blue-eyed Bolla
Fri, 2023-02-17 05:45
lost leaves
Many thanks Tim.
KBloor
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