Between Bookends

I remember it from when I was a child,
t'was there my naive mind ran wild,
in the corner and painted green,
the brightest shade you’d ever seen,
it’s been in the family at least fifty years,
a place where all time disappears.
Originally in my sisters’ room,
books now placed defeating gloom,
I remember mum painting it
  a colour of my choosing and
  hours spent in sitting, just perusing.
It’s my freedom, my little getaway
where all thoughts just go astray.

Somehow so proud though so young,
little did I know a new love begun,
through the years and varied ages,
book titles and reading stages.

I loved to see collage and shape

  that binders of colour

  haphazard made,
all books of various sizes, and
holding sacred their many surprises.
Now a different shade of green,
still a relaxing place serene,
right beside my reading chair,
numerous adventures await me there,
a place relaxed a familiar friend,
a place warming until the end.

Reviews

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Richard I was immediately attracted to your poem title
I love it
the bookcase meant so much to you as a child and now as an older adult (not sure how old you are so being careful here lol) so as an adult you cherish the memories and the love of books that it started in you from when your mum painted it your fav colour.
I love old books etc and bookcases.

we lived with our grandfather and my parents as well and he had all old solid wooden furniture the house and in the front hall way was a beautiful old bookcase with a pull out desk and glass doors. I loved it the musty smells, the old books, mainly Dickens and shakespeare all bound and gold pages on edges, i loved it and in the bookcase desk part that pulled out was all his envelopes fountain pens and other things. a treasure trove.
I can relate to your poem very well. Love to see a pic of it with your chair there, ok take care Richard loved your poem so sentimental! which I love

[Richard M]

Thanks Julie for reading. Yes, it's my place, my little world; comfy, quiet, my little 'getaway.' The memories of decades of use! It's green, as it's just a relaxing, calming place. I did take a photo and put it to this poem; take a look, in my photo section too. Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed it :) Oh, answer, 55 lol
Take care my friend, stay safe

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Ahhh I just stumbled on this again
Re read it I still love it and the pic
Nice cosy corner

[Donna]

This is a great comforting poem. I have read many of your poems, and I enjoyed them all. I think you are a wonderful writer. Take care

[Richard M]

Thank you so much Donna (((HUGS)))
Take care my friend.
Richard xx

[Laura Kate]

This was so warming, and comforting. I can feel the experience that you are describing. My Grandad always had wonderful bookcases, and I used to help him dust his old books and place them neatly back on the shelves. I have my own little collection now, some his, next to my reading chair. How beautifully you took me back to this happy place - thank you.

[Richard M]

Thank you Laura for sharing your warming story with me. I always love hearing of the stories of others. Thank you for reading my friend.
Richard

[barleygirl]

Your poem addresses a love of reading with a plethora of sparkling details! I can remember various pieces of furniture (& clothing, for that matter) passed down thru the ages & since I was the baby of 9, things were battered by the time it got to me. But still, my worship of the item would remain way up high as if it were the glorious thing I admired from afar all those years, when it was in someone else's possession. Your poem conveys that sense of blind worship & altho your actual bookcase may have been a gorgeous hunk of furniture, from the way you describe the history, it could also be a chipped mess & it would've still been as beautiful to this narrator! You impart a ton of your own effervescent way of seeing life into this bookshelf. We may end up knowing more about YOU than the actual piece of furniture (a definite delight!) Thanks to Julie McC for read-requesting me on this. This is the first RR I've touched since being away & having them stack up to 50+ RR's! I clicked on it becuz it was by you & I knew it would be good! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[alanwgraham]

This is a very feel good and affectionate portrait of an object that has been more than just a piece of furniture Richard. I've written a poem myself that refers to a bookcase and the books it held in my grandparents house many years ago. These memories make us what we have become.
Take care.
Alan

[Richard M]

Thank you Alan for reading. My bookcase is a very special place. Is your bookcase poem on your page? Would sure like to read it!
Take care and stay safe.
Richard

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Richard, my poem is called Dad, the clocks stopped. and it's from way back on page 11. These memories stay fresh. I'm working on ta family history now and that is focussing my mind .
Hope you enjoy the poem
Regards,
Alan