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Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. Leonard Cohen

Monday, March 7, 2011

Bubbe's* Gift

* Bubbe is a Yiddish word for grandmother. When I was seven, my grandmother,who loved to read and to write, gave me the book 101 Famous Poems for my birthday. I have it to this day.

My love of words began my seventh year
A small green book you pressed into my hand
 And though I was too young to understand
I knew that it was something you held dear
Into those magic poems I would peer
The distance between you and me was spanned
Your writer's mark on me you left your brand
And to this day I always keep it near

Because of you a truer voice I found
You taught me how to write from what I live
You taught me to observe the world around
You taught me how to listen for the sound
I read your words wrapped up like gifts to give
Each time I write, to you I will be bound

poem submitted for Poetry Potluck
Thank you to Jingle at Thursday Poets Rally for this award!