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.
By Julia Donaldson
You have expressed so beautifully what I have often felt about reading a book.
I didn’t write this poem.
Oh ! Who did?
I loved this. Thank you for expressing so well what I have ofte
wonderful poem and oh so true- some stay within us for a long time once those characters get into our heart
the poem made me want to read right away:-)
How delightful
The adjective that comes to mind is “delicious!” I love this poem. It so perfectly describes how I feel. I finished a book just this afternoon. I have a habit since childhood that is a little obsessive, but as I read the last sentence in a book I need to determine what I’m going to read next or I feel a little anxiety! I’ve always been glad that reading brings me so much joy. 😃
Oh my goodness, I thought I am the only one who does that. I don’t want to end a book before I have made up my mind what I read next either. Goodness, come to think of, perhaps there are more of us, we just never confessed it to each other?
Only a few times did I close a book and refused to read another one right away. When I do that it’s like a homage to the book I just finished because it was so extraordinary.
Julia Donaldson’s books are a delight: I have read them over and over again to my grandchildren and never tire of them. Thank you for sharing this delightful poem of hers.
I am glad you like Julia Donaldson, she is a fine wordsmith.
This poem is too good to keep to myself. I need to share it! Will pass it alog to a few of my book-loving friends… including my husband who gets lost inside CJ Box and Hillerman!
I felt the same way when I found it. “It’s too good to not share.” That’s how it ended up on my blog.
This is a poem that can entice readers young and old. Thank you for sharing it, Bridget. 🙂
You are so welcome. Your are right, it’s for any age.
Isn’t that just wonderful! Thank you for sharing it Bridget. It begs to be read aloud.
True! I always read poems out loud, doesn’t everybody?
Sadly not!
Soooooo right! and actually Soooo WRITE!
Oh, brilliant! So, write. 🙂
Wow! Beautiful!
Isn’t it. It makes you want to open and read a new book right now.