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Sequestered In My Cozy Nook

I have known:
   of wise detectives catching crooks
   of "Thought Police" revising books
   a shipwrecked family named Robinson
   of lion, witch, and wardrobe magic
   Heathcliff's heartbreak, sad and tragic
   books at Fahrenheit 451
   of Hobbits carrying a ring
   (and Aragorn, their long lost king)
   a treasure hunted on deserted isle
   some carpenters and walruses
   (and other friends of Alice's)
   a bulrush baby rescued from the Nile

I have seen:
   Jack Ryan chase a Russian sub
   lord of the flies (beelzebub!)
   two barefoot lads with rafting expertise
   some tesseracts and wrinkled time
   Hercule Poirot solving a crime
   and tiny Lilliputian enemies
   martinis dry (not stirred but shaken)
   snowy woods and roads not taken
   Curly's wife and Lennie in the barn
   poor Tess's note by Angel missed,
   Team Rainbow track a terrorist
   (some writers sure know how to spin a yarn!)

I have been:
   a brave explorer of exotic lands
   a seasoned warrior on foreign sands
   an awestruck stargazer of cosmic nights
   a thoughtful daydreamer of ancient sites
   a rapt aficionado of great art
   a connoisseur of tales that stir the heart
   avowed romantic by love poems smitten 
   a bold imagineer of tales unwritten 

      Adventure calls as I'm sequestered in my cozy nook,
      I've known and seen and been all this -
          for I have read a book.


written 8 May 2022
.........................................................................
//Author's Note: 21 of my favorite books are referenced in this poem -
   The Complete Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Conan Doyle
   1984 - George Orwell
   Swiss Family Robinson - Johann Wyss
   The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis
   Wuthering Heights - Emily Brontë
   Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
   The Fellowship of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien 
   Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson 
   Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll 
   The Bible - multiple authors
   The Hunt for Red October - Tom Clancy 
   Lord of the Flies - William Golding
   The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain  
   A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle 
   Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie
   Gulliver's Travels - Jonathan Swift
   Dr. No - Ian Fleming
   Seasons: Poems - Robert Frost 
   Of Mice and Men - Steinbeck 
   Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy 
   Rainbow Six - Tom Clancy 

Special thanks to my Mother for passing along her 
love of reading, and to my English teachers who 
assigned and discussed some great books.
.........................................................................

Copyright © John Watt | Year Posted 2022

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Beryl Edmonds Date: 5/20/2022 1:05:00 AM You are certainly an avid reader John and passing the enthusiasm onto your kids is great. A wonderful write… Belle Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 5/19/2022 9:15:00 AM oh wow, you know, I have been trying to think what to do for the Passion contest. As a youth, I read many of these same books as you, but then along came VCR and I was forever hooked on movies. So to kill two birds with one stone, I want to write my passion for STORIES. That's what a movie is: a novel or short story brought to cinematic life. I wish it did not have to be in free verse , however, but this is almost the only contest I have not attempted. HOpe mine holds a candle to this one!! Login to Reply

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 5/18/2022 9:57:00 AM John my friend, What a wealth of knowledge you have accumulated from reading. I used to read a lot, but studied later in life, read about Russia and its history, parts of the Old and New Testament, and a few books on sociology - got two degrees, but business then neglected, so turned attention towards it. Poetry soup, thank you for saving the day, again neglecting business a bit. Both Poetry and business have agreed to share my time, not consulting me, however, I prefer Poetry Soup 24/7 Hugs JP Login to Reply John Watt Date: 5/18/2022 9:28:00 PM Life is full, isn't it Jennifer? Most of my books now are poetry books, with a few novels written by friends thrown in. Occasionally I like to go back and enjoy the classics, which I am doing now with Carroll's 'Through the Looking Glass'. Thank you for the visit and the warm words! Blessings and hugs ~ John

Joanna Daniel Date: 5/16/2022 7:34:00 AM Another fave from a book lover too, John, brilliant how you incorporated so many books in your short poem:) Login to Reply John Watt Date: 5/18/2022 9:26:00 PM Thank you very much for the visit and the fave, Jo. I'm happy to know there are other book aficionados out there, but no surprise at a website full of poets! Blessings ~ John

Gershon Wolf Date: 5/15/2022 9:11:00 PM Just love how you've telescoped all of this into 'your cozy nook,' John. Kudos for a terrific write! ~ Gershon Login to Reply John Watt Date: 5/18/2022 9:25:00 PM Thanks for the kudos, GW. That encourages me no end!

Kim Rodrigues Date: 5/12/2022 10:13:00 AM Love this write! We do explore in our books! I love reading some old ones. I think they had less distractions and more time outside and took time to experience life. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 5/14/2022 11:37:00 PM Yes, life was slower back in the day with more time for reading books. Thanks for the comment, much appreciated!

Alexis Y. Date: 5/12/2022 7:09:00 AM WoW! John, I echo what Michelle said. I like the way you incorporated your favorite books in this well-written poem. You are such a gifted writer. It was indeed a gift that your mother passed down “ her love for reading “ to you. Excellent job. Have a nice day, my friend:-) Alexis Login to Reply John Watt Date: 5/14/2022 11:39:00 PM Grateful for your WoW, and many other kind words, Alexis. You have a gift for encouragement. Thank you for your lovely comment. Enjoy your weekend, my friend ~ John

Michelle Faulkner Date: 5/10/2022 1:23:00 PM Your reading list is quite impressive, John, I have sadly not read many of them, but do enjoy Hercule Poirot and the Mr Sherlock Holmes, and of course Robert Frost's poems too. Books can take you on a thousand adventures, my favorite place as a child was the school library, and still go to the public library today - thanks for reminding me of them (ps soupmail) Login to Reply John Watt Date: 5/10/2022 10:33:00 PM Yes, love the library, and tried to instill that same love in my kids... used to take them weekly as they were growing up. Thanks for going with me on this (rather lengthy) journey. It sounds like you're a fan of detective stories!

Ilene Bauer Date: 5/10/2022 12:43:00 PM you've done a masterful job with this one, john! let's hope that up and coming readers have access to all of the books they should be able to get their hands on (in spite of those who are trying to prevent that from happening)... Login to Reply John Watt Date: 5/10/2022 10:30:00 PM indeed... freedom of the press is one of our first amendment rights that we can never afford to lose.

Tom Cunningham Date: 5/10/2022 4:01:00 AM Nothing beats getting in to the heart and soul of a good book John. You meet some incredible characters and visit exotic places. Hope your week goes well. Tom Login to Reply John Watt Date: 5/10/2022 10:27:00 PM Thank you Tom, you are so right. It truly expands the horizons of knowledge and imagination. Hope you enjoyed your time in Turkey.