Open Link Monday -- Abou Ben Adhem
Poem copied from the Poetry Foundation, http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173698
The picture above was my annual "school picture." I believe that I was in the fifth grade, our school taught eight grades but some were empty. I was five when I started. My sister, Lois (link), is front row right, standing near the teacher. She was four or five, depending on when the picture was taken, and had started in the first grade.
This was the second and longer poem that I had ever memorized. (My first poem memorized was "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer).
I had come to like this poem and somehow I applied it to my life. It probably calmed for life some of my bad side bones and helped set my personality.
The poem was in an old poetry book that I found rummaging upstairs in an unused bookcase. The bookcase had belonged to my father's aunt, Aunt Minnie. The book was either hers or my mom's from her younger days.
I still have that little book, a paperback, someplace packed away for now.
Here is some author material the bottom from the bottom of the page linked to above:
"RELATED CONTENT
_ _ _ _ _
Monday, I am linked with Kerry at the Real Toads, Open Link Monday (link)
Her Challenge: "Do you have a poem that you would like to share with us today? (see above) Please link up a piece of your choice and join us in reading and responding to the best of online poetry. (see below)"
_ _ _ _ _
Leigh Hunt, my inspiration
Stayed with me for life
Old book of poetry mine
One treasure never stolen
Tanka poem and School picture Copyright, © 2014, 2010, Jimmiehov, All Rights Reserved
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