The Missouri Reader Vol. 37, Issue 1 | Page 47

A RHYME THROUGH TIME Cheri Harrington ow did I learn to write? When did I see the light? Tracing a dotted line? And expanding my mind. How did I learn to read? With my teacher taking the lead? Before that even? With older brother Steven Reading ―Cat in the Hat‖ And books like that. irst grade came With books so tame ―See Spot Run?‖ Reading was fun! Circled up in my group. Or spelling words in alphabet soup. Reading street signs like ―STOP‖ And books like ―Hop on Pop!‖ lder sis always had a book Curled up in her nook. Copying her was my goal; Her passion I stole. She taught me so wellPut me under the spell Of mysteries and Nancy Drew And the Hardy Boys too! y now I know The places you can go Lost in the pages Bounding through stages Increasing the speed With which I read. ravings to write Night after night Stories of my own f comical tone… And mysteries too Like Nancy Drew. ours and days Lost in a haze Of faraway times And fairytale rhymes. Escaping in my book Oh the trips that I took! Then an all-time fav reated a wave Penned by Harper Lee About how society used to be ―To Kill a Mockingbird‖ Its heartfelt message I heard. utting pen to paper My fears would taper Creating magical scenes About other awkward teens. Writing a story Brought so much joy! And poems helped me vent When mom was heaven sent. ittle House on the Prairie‖ Made my Christmas so merry! Birthdays were so great he years have passed New books were my fate! The poems I‘ve amassed Childhood friends would come and go And stories I‘ve writ But live without books? NO, NO, Have been quite a hit! NO! My kids share my joy Of reading a story n libraries I hid And a good book too As a book-loving kid To keep from feeling blue. Reading books by Stephen King Like ―Carrie‖ and ―Christine‖ ow I barely have time Swapping books with sis To make up this rhyme Helped add to my list! Or read before a nap From Agatha Christie to Louis To my grandson on my lap. L‘amour ―Step On a Crack‖ And so many, many more Started several weeks back All thro