Thank you, Matt at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme, for hosting Poetry Friday this week.
Last week, the final poetry swap envelope arrived in my mailbox. It was a joyful gift that I have in the library now.
This year, each poetry swap has been extra special and has found connections with my life. This time, Heidi has paired bicycles and libraries. As a teen, I often rode my bicycle to the library for books each summer. I still remember the simple journey to the library on Los Angeles Ave in Simi Valley, CA. I picked up Agatha Christie, The Bronte sisters, and also FOREVER AMBER which was considered controversial. What I remember about that book was the fact that it was designed with four columns on a two-page spread. So Heidi’s swap to me back to that time.
My response:
on
hot
summer
days, I biked
to the library
finding solace among the stacks
arms, full of books for traveling
without leaving town
pedaled home
and read
for
hours
© jone rush macculloch
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ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT!
Winner, winner, chicken dinner time! Pet Crazy Books go to:
Violet Nesoldy
Molly Hogan
Elaine Magliaro
Please contact me with your address.
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The CYBILS are in serious need of judges and panelists. Deadline to apply is Monday, September 11. Please consider applying. It’s a great time to talk poetry.
Jone Rush MacCulloch 
I used to ride my bike to the library, backpack full of books to return on the way there, and stuffed with new ones on the way home. A good Saturday started that way.
Perfectly lovely.
Yes! I still remember the incredible freedom I felt when I learned to ride a bicycle – finally I could go where I wanted, when I wanted to (I grew up in the years before helicopter parents) – nothing quite matches that feeling!
While I never rode my bike to the library, I loved both my library and my bike. Heidi’s poem and your response take me back to those summer days where I traveled on two wheels and between the pages to find adventure.
I remember having to get my mother to check out books because they were not available to me as a child. I lived too far for the bicycle, but I was dropped off to spend hours when we could get there. I love this connection Heidi & then you made, Jone. Happy memories!
Yes it is such a great memory.
Love <3!! I will share them with Elena (who painted the logo).
I wondered if the logo was original, thought so.
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