|
Liberator
by Glenn Currierbefore I could read
Aunt Bessie pried open
the thin shell of my awareness
with her giggling eyes
bubbling voice
beams of Lionni
and juice of Seuss
but it was that librarian who first led me
down those spined canyons
pulling from the vertical strata
precious yarns and legends
barrels of worms and monkeys
damsels, dinosaurs, cars and stars
oceans of pirates, heroes and villains
it was that librarian
who grafted her curiosity
into the pink vapor of my imagination
where I made a vessel
to sail a universe of possibilities
to make waves and wakes
and fix mistakes
oh you liberator
who made a place
supplied the feast
and built a bridge
from the oval of my small world
to a free land of open eyes
and vision wide
oh you liberator
who gave me a book
and taught me to look
underneath the obvious
to name the darkness
to find the light
and worlds to write
I salute you
librarian of my journey
inventor of my wonder
and maker of my liberty 08/01/2005 Author's Note: Dedicated to the librarians of Arlington Independent School District
Arlington, Texas - August 1, 2005
Posted on 08/02/2005
Copyright © 2025 Glenn Currier
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Charlie Morgan on 08/02/05 at 12:48 PM ...glenn, my brother...i'm wanting to say the EXACT same thing that michelle said (cause she's smart)...she did say the things that got my attention...drenched with metaphor...so ta-ta!, your tribute is heart-warming and only you can say those things so beautifully, i can see you as i read your words...great piece (in emotional terms annnnd in poetics)...peace, chaz |
| Posted by JD Clay on 08/03/05 at 12:46 PM Ahh, the gift of freedom in the tomes that mold our being. This is a magnificent laurel wreath laid upon the unsung heroes that repeatedly expose the multiverse within our grasp. You've struck literary gold in this my friend, you've tanned the hides, and conquered the challenge that speaks your namesake; currier.
pe4ce... |
| Posted by Charles E Minshall on 08/04/05 at 04:28 AM Great poem, great tribute Glenn...Charlie |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 08/06/05 at 01:20 AM A most wonderful tribute to children's public librarians. I recall, growing up in rural Ohio for the most part, the book mobile! Unfortunately didn't have the services of a librarian. You were most fortunate. |
|
