T H E B O O K W O R M

That's what I justifiably could be called when I was a kid.
Starting to read at night with a flashlight-that was it !
Children's book in my native German were eagerly devoured,
it brings back memories when my imagination was thus empowered.

Stories of ancient knights performing many a heroic deed
gave way to the famous poets, whose names to mention is no need.
When I reached thirteen my birthday brought gifts of many a famous book,
to gather a small library very little effort in coming years it took.

Came time when I had to leave my treasures to go to foreign lands,
knowing that, with my parents, they would be left in good hands.
Then came the Nazis, they got all those fine books on the shelf-
no way to save them, I was lucky to be able to do this for myself.

With good fortune my family was safe, but the tomes were left behind
and, ever so often their whereabouts has crossed my mourning mind.
They were replaced some, but when I had to move to a smaller place,
once again, the abandonment of these literary joys I had to face.

Now, there is no room to gather another such collection
and, while working in a Library, only their nearness brings satisfaction.
The old eyes get easily tired and the brain is not what it used to be :
no longer a book worm, now it is just "crimis" and magazines for me !