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Everything I Need To Know

One day I ran to Grandpa…And I looked into his ear.
“Mommy says you’re pretty smart….Do you keep your brains in here?”

It’s too dark in here. I can’t see a thing…I don’t know what to do.
Grandpa is there any way…I’ll ever be as smart as you?”

Grandpa sat me on his lap…he gave my hand a squeeze.
“The wisdom you are seeking can be found in all of these.”

He pointed to his bookshelf and said, “Sally..take a look.”
“All my wisdom…everything I know…I learned from children’s books.”

By listening to or reading the words or inspecting the pictures drawn
Oh...the wondrous things I’ve seen…Oh…the places I have gone.  

I’ve been to worlds where strange things happen.
I’ve seen animals dance and sing.
I’ve known fairies and dragons and pirates…and Princesses and Kings.

I’ve been to Africa with a curious monkey
on a bear hunt under the pines 
rescued from a well in China 
and to France with Madeline 

Along the way, everywhere I went my imagination has been churned
And I’ll be glad to share with you…some…of the things I’ve learned:

It seems I’ve learned so many things I was not taught in school
Like what happens when my teacher’s missing…and how Wimpy kids are cool. 

I’ve learned about the weather from Freddy, he’s a frog.  
I’ve seen a cold and snowy day…I’ve seen it raining cat’s and dogs

I learned some girls like to be fancy, that there’s an alphabets in my soup 
I learned it’s okay to wear the color pink…and that everybody poops. 

I learned about dragons, they love tacos, 
I visited the Wild Things land
I learned that when I’m nervous or scared I have my kissing hand. 

I learned the beauty of inventing words…like this one...maple surple
I watched as a boy named Harold drew the moon…I learned nothing rhymes with purple.

Dr. Seuss taught me colors and counting…I played a game with his Cat in the Hat 
his Lorax taught me ecology…Now what do you think about that?

I’ve learned meatballs can fall from the sky…and when you’re in a jam
What’s the best thing you can give yourself…of course...green eggs and ham.

Amelia Bedelia taught me how to think…she takes things so literally.
I’ve learned of joy and tenderness…under the Giving Tree. 

I learned to watch the world around me from a poky little pup 
while a little engine and a steam shovel…taught me never to give up.

I’ve learned that love and tolerance are what matters in the end.
I’ve learned a lion and a mouse or a spider and a pig can be the best of friends.

I’ve learned an express train takes you to Santa…that a reindeer’s nose can glow. 
I’ve learned a snowman can come alive…and a Grinch’s heart can grow 

I’ve learned not to give a mouse a cookie…it causes too much of a fuss
I’ve learned that cows can type, bears like honey and not to let pigeons drive the bus.

I’ve learned gentleness from a bull…integrity from a bat 
I’ve learned how one bear can be big and brown…while another wears a hat. 

I’ve learned fish can come in rainbow colors…that a wolf can huff and puff 
I’ve learned a caterpillar can be hungry…and billy goats are gruff. 

I’ve learned to wake up in the morning with a smile…I’ve learned to sing a happy tune
I’ve learned to think of others...to be nice…and say good night to the moon. 

As I grew up it didn’t stop…how my learning did expand
as I followed a rabbit down a hole…and flew to Neverland. 

I learned about life on the Mississippi…watching a young boy and Indian flee
I learned about kindred spirits in a town called Avonlea.  

I learned from wizards, witches and Hobbits…from creatures big and small
that goodness wins out in the end…and there’s magic in us all.

“I could go on and on.” Grandpa said but to one thought I must return
of all the things I know...I know there’s always more to learn.

And if you spend a little time reading before long this I know
Oh the things that you will learn…Oh the places you will go.


Then Grandpa sat me at my desk…and he gave my head a kiss
He patted me on my shoulder…and then he told me this....

If you’re seeking wisdom, Sally you don’t have far to look
Everything you need to know…can be found in children’s books.

Copyright © Jim Yerman | Year Posted 2019

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