Poem #14: My First Memory by Nikki Giovanni

Nikki Giovanni is an American poet, author and activist.  I thought this poem would appeal to us bookworms.  Enjoy.

My First Memory (of Librarians)

This is my first memory:
A big room with heavy wooden tables that sat on a creaky
wood floor
A line of green shades—bankers’ lights—down the center
Heavy oak chairs that were too low or maybe I was simply
too short
For me to sit in and read
So my first book was always big

In the foyer up four steps a semi-circle desk presided
To the left side the card catalogue
On the right newspapers draped over what looked like
a quilt rack
Magazines face out from the wall

The welcoming smile of my librarian
The anticipation in my heart
All those books—another world—just waiting
At my fingertips.

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4 comments

  1. You are so right, this does appeal to the bookworm in me 🙂 I love the description of the library, but my favorite line is “The anticipation in my heart”!

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