I Opened a Book I opened a book and in I strode. Now nobody can find me. I’ve left my chair, my house, my road, My town and my world behind me. I’m wearing the cloak, I’ve slipped on the ring, I’ve swallowed the magic potion. I’ve fought with a dragon, dined with a king And dived in a bottomless ocean. I opened a book and made some friends. I shared their tears and laughter And followed their road with its bumps and bends To the happily ever after. I finished my book and out I came. The cloak can no longer hide me. My chair and my house are just the same, But I have a book inside me. Read to Me Read to me riddles and read to me rhymes Read to me stories of magical times Read to me tales about castles and kings Read to me stories of fabulous things Read to me pirates and read to me knights Read to me dragons and dragon-book fights Read to me spaceships and cowboys and then When you are finished- please read them again. Notes on the Art of Poetry I could never have dreamt that there were such goings-on In the world between the covers of books, Such sandstorms and ice blasts of words, Such staggering peace, such enormous laughter, Such and so many blinding bright lights, Splashing all over the pages In a million bits and pieces All of which were words, words, words, And each of which were alive forever In its own delight and glory and oddity and light.