Letters, Words, Sentences, Life

Inspired by Billy Collins' "Books"

I don't even remember where it started.
Probably with the bright picture books
Of childhood.
First I learned to carefully pencil
My big letters and little letters
On the paper with the two bold lines
And a middle dashed line.
From there it was only a matter of time
Before I loved to read.
Anything, I would read.
Charlotte's Web was always a favorite,
And the one about the cricket,
Or maybe it was a toad
That went to the big city.
Soon I was sneaking my mom's romance novels,
To read the naughty parts
And learn how babies are really made.
When nothing was available
It was the backs of soup cans,
The toothpaste tube,
The manual to my car
(While I was driving down the road, no less).
Now I collect books,
Like some old women collect cats.
Someday I will read the books to my children
And grandchildren, and someday
They will read them to me.
And the words will keep marching
Down a line of generations,
Down the road with a traveling cap on,
Ready for the big city.