Check It Out

One of my favorite poems is by Gary Soto, “Ode to My Library”.  It is very long so I am only posting the first two verses.  You can really sense his love for the library while getting a mental picture of the library. 

Ode to My Library

It’s small
With two rooms
of books, a globe
That I once
Dropped, some maps
Of the United States and Mexico,
And a fish tank with
A blue fish making jeta.
There are tables and chairs,
And a pencil sharpener
On the wall: a crayon stuck
In it, but I didn’t do it.

It’s funny, but the
Water fountain
Is cooled bu a motor,
And the librarian reads
Books with her
Glasses hanging
From her neck. If she
Put them on
She would see me
Studying the Incas
Who live two steps
From heaven,
Way in the mountains.

I think it is a little sad that the librarian doesn’t see him.  But there is a sense that the library is important to him. Later in the poem, he talks about wanting to bring mis abuelitos to the library. 

The poem is in a collection called Neighborhood Odes.  I like using this book because the poems are around everyday things that students can write about.

Hip Writer Mama is hosting poetry round-up.  Have a wonderful day.

Happy Reading.

MsMac