The Books I Like to Read

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The Books I Like to Read



You know what really makes me mad?
It’s when my mother tells me
That the stuff I read is a waste of time.
“Go read something good,” she says.

She never seems to understand
That I’m busy accumulating data
In case I have to stare down ghouls
Or confront a beast or a hairy, scary troll.

She doesn’t realize that I might save her
From witches or dragons who'd blast her
With their fiery breath and scorching flames,
Because, I'll know just what to do.

My mother says that some books teach,
So she buys those about real folks
Who invented things or made a difference
So I can keep my feet on Earth.

But “how to” books, though good, I guess,
Don’t take me to a thousand lands
Where carpets fly and genies wish,
Or witches cast their green-hued spells.

You see, I’d rather dance the skies
With aliens spreading out blue wings
Via metal ships and sonic scooters
And “warp-speed” blasts across the stars.

I’d rather meet a herd of dinosaurs
Whose dripping teeth and slimy scales
Meld me to their exciting tales
And keep me reading under my sheets.

So I'll keep exploring different worlds
For I daily walk on the roads of real,
And when Mother tells me, "Lights out, Jon,"
I'll be prepared for whatever dreams may come.

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