I Owe You Gratitude

Dear Mr. Bill Janzen, I owe you lots of gratitude
long unexpressed, enormously - way overdue!
You taught me to read when I was seven;
a skill that blesses me all the way to heaven.

I haven't been to any college or university,
but I can read, and do it all day, constantly.
Reading has given me a very personal education,
tailored to my unique interests and inclination.

Truly; I read when I stumble into the bathroom,
at the table as and after we eat, in my own room,
for quiet time; and of course, I read what I write.
I read for rest breaks, and to relax for the night.

I range from my ever-open Bible, to often a a deep tome
on spiritual, Chrsitian thought; whatever is at home,
to world mission magazines, and all the vast resources
of the inter-library system's marvellous references.

By reaading I've taught myself to type and compute,
to translate German, and with a camera to shoot,
discovered crafts, and made things out of my head,
written books and poems - because my brain I've fed.

Dear Mr. Bill Janzen, I owe you lots of gratitude!
long unexpressed, enormously - way overdue!
You taught me to read when I was seven;
a skill that blesses me all the way to heaven!

©1996 Ruth Marlene Friesen


This poem was written in 1996, in an effort to express my gratitude for the skill of reading which I learned from my first grade teacher, Mr. William Janzen. It is part of my collection from that year, which I turned into a chapbook Christmas gift for my friends.

That first numbered edition of course, was limited to 50 copies and they are all gone. However, I have produced an e-book edition in the PDF format which you may purchase and download in a matter of moments. It is called Heart 2 Heart.

Poetry is a very individual thing, and like music, there are many tastes in poetry styles and topics. Many of my poems turn out as prayers, or to rave about a particular friend. The poem above is just a sample of the kind I write and enjoy.

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