Ellen Grace Olinger
old books from thrift stores
with their art and history
someone’s name or a library
from a place far away
with an old card
a note written in the book
to encourage someone
or a gift for a special day
books that are new for me
and to read today
POEMS FROM OOSTBURG, WISCONSIN
At Poems From Psalms And Nature, I began a new series on the theme of Mercy and Gratitude, which will feature my poems inspired by thrift stores, with links to the store sites. And creative notes in general.
Today’s post is Poetry Book by Madeleine L’Engle, which also lists the posts so far in the series.
We live in Wisconsin – the Midwest, USA. And I buy used books from other places online, as well as places in our area. So many good deeds, and books are shared with more people. Wonderful.
I look at the books and journals in our home and am grateful. There is a wide selection: poetry, memoirs, novels, books discarded by libraries, books from thrift stores, books given as gifts. Poets I’ve read for decades, and new poets in journals and who post on their blogs.
Morning Glory on the Vine: Early Songs and Drawings, by Joni Mitchell, was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2019; and is a beautiful book. She wrote a forward in May 2019. And she is as grateful as ever.
Poetry called to me from the Psalms, and the hymns, from church. Then when I was young I heard Joni Mitchell, and other artists. I could write too!
Monday afternoon
in March
sun fills a bookcase
from my father
WordPress.com Free Photo Library
reading a book
I bought used
some time ago
words I need
today
Ellen Grace Olinger
I often discover wonderful used books at thrift stores. Sometimes they are books that were once gifts, with notes written in the books. One book had a handwritten card. Perhaps I will give a few books to someone too, or donate back to a store.
Libraries in our area also sell books. They need to make room on their shelves, and good to support their efforts as well.
The books I am reading now are poetry collections, novels, memoirs, history, and devotionals.
books on the shelf
supported by each other
kindness of friends
Ellen Grace Olinger
Journal Notes Blog 