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Sally Murphy, Australian author

Poetry Friday: All About the Books

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Recently I did my annual bookshelf tidy. Roughly once a year I tidy up by shelves, put everything back into alphabetic order, and give away books which don’t fit and which I’m finished with. It isn’t long, of course, before themy system starts to break down – in fact, if you look carefully, you can see that not all of my picture books fitted back in and so some are sitting on top. Oops.

Booshelves

One of my favourite poems about books is by Julia Donaldson and, coincidentally, someone shared it on Facebook yesterday, reminding me it would be a good fit for Poetry Friday. It begins:

I opened a book and in I strode.
Now nobody can find me.
I’ve left my chair, my house, my road,
My town and my world behind me.

You can read the rest online here.

 

I also like the image Emily Dickinson provided, of a book being like a ship:

There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry.

You can read the rest online here.

And, of course, even Dr Seuss has written about books:

Never too old

Do you have a favourite poem about books or about reading? I’d love to hear it.

Have a great Poetry Friday. The roundup today is hosted by  Random Noodling.

Comments

  1. Oh Sally..How very tidy.I am overcome with admiration…
    care to come and tidy-up my book shelves ?x

  2. Oh, I love that first poem! I had just that experience this week — falling into a book, then taking a bit of it out with me when I finished! (The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner, if you’re wondering!)

  3. You have quite the bookshelf! Love it. Also the quotes, especially the first one: “… Now nobody can find me.” Love the power of stories to transport.

  4. Love it! Especially the Dickinson, “Nor any Coursers like a Page/
    Of prancing Poetry.”

    I’m glad you hear you’re giving away some of your books, it’s good to share!

    • Thanks Diane. Yes, I am constantly giving away books – as a reviewer I have new books turn up almost daily. It is a privilege to be able to share with charities and underfunded schools especially.

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