I was surely lucky as a child
Instead of me madly running wild
I visited my mothers place of work
Not playing in the streets like a jerk
After school I raced without a care
To library in town's Market Square
Mum behind the counter stamping books
I gorged myself in some cosy nooks
In reference room I did my homework
And walked back home with Mum after work
I read fiction books not meant for me
Books like "Lolita" and "The Cruel Sea"
Wasn't long before I found classics
To each bookshelf I go and fossick
Aesops Fables, then The Golden Ass
Balzac, Zola and Seutonius
What education it was for me
To binge read "The Old Man and the Sea"
Even "On the Beach" by Nevil Shute
And other authors of great repute
When married my wife also a fan
So our few bookcases grew a span
Years later those books still talk to me
For reading's a pleasure guaranteed
Image found at https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/teen-boy-reading-in-quiet-library_2667043.htm
Note the picture is not of me but the story behind the poem is true
Authors of novels referred to: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monsarrat
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Amen to that. I enjoyed all the titles recalled and referred to throughout. Our reading wasn't very different. Maybe I threw in more romance and mystery.
ReplyDeleteGood write, Luv this memory. I worked as a Library Assistant for the greater part of my working career and up to the time of my retirement
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday Robin thanks for dropping by my blog
much love...
I enjoyed this one so much!!! Loved that little boy. Thanks for your comment, on my post.
ReplyDeleteI read books too advanced for my age too....reading has always been a part of every day. I read all evening long, most evenings. You were lucky to have your mum working at the library! Nice for her to have you there to walk home with after work.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...noticed you read some racey books:)
ReplyDeleteI did too.I did Ancient History honours at school. The three of us were told never to discuss or mention Suetonius to the other girls. I must say it was a jaw dropper.
I too read books advanced for my age. All good bookworms did!
ReplyDeleteIt's so wonderful when the book-world opens its door for us, specially in childhood. And blessed is the child who responses to the open door.
ReplyDeleteHa ha.. the reference to Lolita evoked boyhood memories:):) Lady Chatterley's Lover was another forbidden treasure:) but we, the 'studious' ones, always managed to get those;)
ReplyDeleteYou are right: Reading is a guaranteed pleasure. I do it daily!
ReplyDeleteGreat read, I used to read books many years ago until the internet came along, now my reading is poetry on blogs.
ReplyDeleteI always loved to read. In fact the mention of you at the library brought back memories of when I was 16 and worked there after school. Loved it.
ReplyDelete