It’s been a big week for me – with the release of a new book, the anniversary (bookiversary) of the release of another, and the news that the latter book, Roses are Blue, has also been short-listed in the Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards.
As a result, when I wondered what I could post for Poetry Friday today I got thinking about poems about books. I think my favourite is from Emily Dickinson:
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!
The metaphors of a book as a boat, a horse, a chariot taking the reader on great adventures are so apt. I also love that she points out that books offer an affordable and accessible experience, yet at the same time that books are so important that the bear the human soul. Beautiful.
Another favourite is Dylan Thomas‘ Notes on the Art of Poetry:
I could never have dreamt that there were such goings-on
in the world between the covers of books,
such sandstorms and ice blasts of words,,,
such staggering peace, such enormous laughter,
such and so many blinding bright lights,, ,
splashing all over the pages
in a million bits and pieces
all of which were words, words, words,
and each of which were alive forever
in its own delight and glory and oddity and light.
Wow! What magical use of words, words, words to remind us how immense can be the impact of a good book.
Books are my life. Many of my earliest memories are connected with sharing books with my mum, and now I make my living from writing and reading. How lucky am I!
Poetry Friday this week is hosted at Mainley Write. Head over there to see a round up of lots of poetry posts around the blogosphere.
Have a great Friday.
Congratulations, Sally! Lots of great news. I also love Dickinson’s “A Book.”
A BOOK.
He ate and drank the precious words,
His spirit grew robust;
He knew no more that he was poor,
Nor that his frame was dust.
He danced along the dingy days,
And this bequest of wings
Was but a book. What liberty
A loosened spirit brings!
There are also many lovely poems about books in I AM THE BOOK (Lee Bennett Hopkins anthology), and thanks, Mary Lee Hahn, for mentioning my collection BOOKSPEAK! :>)
Thanks Laura. Yes, I own Bookspeak, and can’t believe I didn’t think to mention it. Will look out for the LBH one
Congratulations on all your great book news, Sally!
And thanks for these perfect poetic celebrations of books. Love them both (& used the Dickinson one in a mixed media piece once. :0) )
Thanks Robyn. I love Dickinson!
Books, books, books! Where would we be without books? Congrats on your book love celebrations, Sally! Love your book love poem selections, too. =)
Thanks Bridget!
Congratulations, Sally! I love weeks like that.
What strikes me about Emily Dickinson’s poem is the movement. Each simile she selects has speed and suggests the sensory feeling of going forward.
Thanks laura. Yes, it emphasises that books are not static.
Congrats on your terrific week, Sally! I love that Dylan Thomas poem – its joy, wonder, and exuberance! And this: “so many blinding bright lights,, ,
splashing all over the pages
in a million bits and pieces
all of which were words, words, words,”
Thanks Michelle. Yes, those lines are just brilliant, aren’t they?
Congratulations on your new book!
Here’s a favorite book quote: “It had been startling and disappointing to me to find out that story books had been written by people, that books were not natural wonders, coming of themselves like grass.” Eudora Welty
Thanks Diane. What a fabulous quote!
There are beautiful ones about books, and these are two of them, Sally. I don’t know the one from Dylan Thomas, just gorgeous that “splashing all over the pages. . .”. Congratulations on your book published & the anniversary, too!
Thanks Linda!
These are great poems about books. How perfect for Poetry Friday!
Thanks DOnna 🙂
I do love poems about books, and poems about poems, and poems about reading. I have a collection of Emily Dickinson that I haven’t picked up in a long time. I should do that!
Thanks Rebecca. I fell in love with Dickinson at school – she stood out as being so much more accessible than most of the other poets we studied.
Laura Purdie Salas’ book BOOKSPEAK! contains some of my favorite poems about books and reading! And poems about poems…well, don’t get me started!
Thanks Mary. Yes, I love Laura’s book too! Can’t believe I didn’t think to mention it.