I headed to southern Minnesota for two days of school visits, which went great. Part of my presentation involves sharing with kids how I was always reading as a kid, even when my parents insisted I go outside to play and get fresh air. I share a picture of me sitting up in a tree, reading a book.
Now I’m snowed in for an extra day because a ginormous snowstorm hit yesterday when I was supposed to drive home. I was driving on a highway able to see nothing in front of me except white and one dimming pair of red taillights (dimming as they quickly covered with ice). It was terrifying. Couldn’t see the road…and meanwhile, as snow was dumping from the sky, it was actually thundering and lightning occasionally too, since I was right near the border of where it switched from thunderstorm to blizzard. It was amazing. And I was much happier once I reached a safe hotel to spend the night!
I pulled out one of the books I brought with me, Ballistics, by Billy Collins. It was a Christmas gift from my husband, Randy. I hadn’t had a chance to read yet, and it was a treat to read some of it over the past couple of quiet nights. This poem in particular made me smile in recognition.
Evasive Maneuvers
I grew up hiding from the other children. and end up alone behind a hedge … And I hid behind books, Before I knew how to read, about the worlds that were pressed Read the complete poem here. |
This poem also made me smile because Randy grew up reading the Book of Knowledge encylopedias over and over again. Which partially explains why he always wins the trivia games.
Karen at Mommy’s Favorite Children’s Books is hosting the Poetry Friday roundup today. Go check it out!