So, I just finished this draft of a poem I’m calling “Lifelong Learner.” What do you think?

Lifelong Learner  by J.D. Hays

I’m always learning from Books–always Books,

Many, many (too many?) Books.

So many Books are people…so many different people,

So many different stories.

A living library.

Living Books come in all ages, shapes, sizes, sexes, colors, abilities, languages, temperaments,

And show up in different places:

Some in classrooms…some in church rooms;

Some in music rooms…some in locked rooms;

Some like to twirl in dance…some like to twirl in wheelchairs;

Some are sharp as a tack…some are dull as a rusty razor;

Some remember the darndest things…

Some can’t remember their name;

Some are brand-spanking new, babies with smiles…

Some are tired, frayed, geriatrics–also with smiles;

Some are happily religious…some are happy without religion;

Some have loving hearts…some have hearts that are hurting;

Some share kindness…some share cruelty;

Some keep moving so fast I can’t keep up…some barely move at all, making me keep still.

There is One Book above all Books, an Author above all authors,

I keep learning from this Book, this Author,

Who writes all those other books that teach me, inform me,

And make me also a living Book to be shared.

There are more pages to write, more pages to read,

More Books to learn from,

Especially that One Book, that One Author.