The First of Seeing

Linda L. Zern

The First of Seeing







Out of bits of dust and dirt—the big bang—

And the worlds came into being.

Just a start, the first of seeing—

Out of nitrogen and hydrogen and oxygen and string

Came continents and ranges and waterfalls

Thundering.







Out of bits and jots and tittles—a big bang—

And the world came into being

Just a start, the first of seeing—

Out of A’s, and B’s, and C’s and ink

Came books, and plays, and poetry’s

Singing.







Standing in my socks and shoes

Knees dyed red—a scab or two;

Dick and Jane, their dog named Spot.

There was no story; there was no plot.

Sweaty hands

Straining thought

The words jumped up—

The words fell down,

And then the letters heavy grew

And hard to hold

The bits became a song—you sing, you sung, you sang.

And I could read—another bang.