On Learning How To Read

The teacher seemed to be upset

With me to tell my mother that

“He hasn’t learned the alphabet—

He has to read!” so Mrs. Blatt

Alone, beside me, in her class,

As I would bend over a book

To watch each hour slowly pass—

Her hour out of lunch she took.

I would not say, I liked to be

The center of attention when,

In fact, it really bothered me,

To sit by her as I would then.

As school was over in the spring

So into summertime we came.

My mother remained, listening,

To do as Mrs. Blatt the same.

Each morning as she sat by me

I rather would have gotten out—

Instead with her I’d have to be—

Indoors, and reading all about…

So every morning, rain or shine,

Together we would sit to read

Tall tales, unfolding line by line,

As pathways in the forest lead

To places other than I’d been;

Beside my mother I could see

So many countries to be seen,

Beyond us, were awaiting me.

I left the classroom far behind

And the veranda where we sat

To look for what it is we’d find

Beyond—wherever—we are at.