Writing assignment: Soulmates
A book I've read over and over and over again? I haven't. I've been reading--gobbling up book after book--since age 3. I tackled "Little women" at age 8. "Rebecca" at age 12. I've loved and adored many books, some I've read twice. But I can't think of a single book I've read repeatedly over the years. Why? Perhaps there are too many good books. My favorites are certainly worthy of double-dipping or even triple-dipping, but how is one to choose? Gilbert Blythe and his Anne Girl--quirky and flawed and temperamental just like me. Elizabeth and that Mr. Darcy--is she my soulmate of the story, or is he? Scout and her adored Atticus, a daughter idolizing her daddy as I do. Selfish Wang Lung and humble O-Lan. Bold Hester and her Pearl. And lest we forget dear Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. Familiar friends indeed. Yes, that Jo is surely a soulmate and I knew it in the third grade. Maybe some of these treasure are too sacred. Perhaps they made me weep so, even with all their happiness and beauty, that I hesitate to revisit the tears. Oh how I hate to cry. Must I read their stories time and time again to love them justly? Or is there injustice in neglecting so many other worthy tales? The thrill of one ignites the thrill of another and as one fair story is finished, I giddily anticipate the next. Romance, history, adventure, biography and hope at once. It seems there isn't time enough to sample all that entice me, let alone re-read my list of beloveds. And beloved they are. And beloved they always will be though they visit my bedside table but a few times in this short life.
1 comment:
I love your writing! There are some beloved books I could never read again. Little Women is one. It tore my heart out the first time, and I don't think I could do it a 2nd time. You've expressed yourself so well.
Post a Comment