The teacher picks up red paper carefully,
reverently, holding it between her fingers
lifts it, holds it for us to see,
turning side to side in the class.
Then she sets it down,
folds it in half,
matching corner to corner,
telling us softly,
step by step,
every movement she makes.
She picks up the ivory-colored tool,
names it
"Bone folder"
And uses it to crease
the fold gently, firmly.
She inserts
folded white papers into the red,
telling us the poems
printed on the white
are in public domain,
the writings of
poets long dead,
still sacred.
Then she shows us how
to sew red covers
onto bone-folded words.
Next week we will
enfold and cover
our own.
Comments
1 - 15 of 15
-
5
Personally, I liked this. I liked the simple-ness of it, and sort of reminded me of a child watching this. Don't take that the wrong way either... I love that kind of fascination.
Very nice observation. -
Reading you has made me want to go and make my own book to write my poetry in ... for the written word still has a magic that the electronic word doesn't seem to possess (especially if hand written in pen and ink)
A good descriptive piece and may I wish you the best in the contest.
Sue
-
-
Really, it is so easy once you know the process, you really should try it! I gave one of my chapbooks to some friends tonight and they were quite impressed, which was fun for me. The only thing I didn't make was the paper itself (and yes, I know one can do that, but oh, it is so messy!) Thank you for stopping by, Sue. Lita
-
-
Very nicely done. When I read your bookbinding poems it makes me want to give it a try. Thank you very much for posting a poem about binding books. I only hope that people are still reading books (rather than electronic words) when I am an old man.
Mike
-
-
Thank you for stopping by and reading... I hope you got the message I sent. I am really enjoying the bookbinding process, in between writing, of course! Lita
-
-
After having worked in a college library for over 12 years, I am quite familiar with the beloved and very useful "bone" whereof you speak, my Friend. We covered books by using them, applying a clear laminate in order to protect them from the ravages of use and abuse. Sacred, indeed. Good luck in the contest, Sweetie. 
-
-
Thank you so much! I find the whole bookbinding field quite fascinating, with all its tools and techniques -- and "bone-folder" has such an exotic sound to it! Really quite a useful tool as well. I think I am also interested in repairing some old books for friends, which involves some of the same techniques... in between writing, of course! Lita
-
-
I like this so much. Your voice is completely unpretentious, full of reverence and fascination and hope. Good writing.
Camille
-
-
Thank you so much, Camille. The teacher is so good, which makes it easy to write about her, and the subject. Lita
-
-
-
-
More hugs for you! ! Lita
-
-
Descriptive
I see you are making a simple sewn section bound poetry book. I've done some bookbinding myself in fact. I hope your teacher taught you all about grain direction in the paper too, for it is most important when making a book. I'm sure he/she would have.
Your 'poem' is very descriptive and fits well with the title of this contest. I hope you make a beautiful book for your own poetry next week.
This brought back memories for me. very nice...Alby
-
-
I just found out that an old friend from high school, who now lives in Vancouver, has also done bookbinding, and is now using an antique letterpress to do her own printing as well! So many people know all about what is totally new and fascinating to me. Yes, the teacher did tell us about the grain, particularly for the covers, since over time I guess the binding will pull the wrong way if the grain is wrong... I know I still have a ton to learn, but I am enjoying it so much! Thank you so much for reading and the clappies! Lita
-
-
Vague memories from far off school days when we always had to cover our school books.
I seem to remember school library books in particular we would cover.
thanks for the memory and good luck with the contest
-
-
We always had to cover our books, too! Maybe that's why I find bookbinding fascinating now! Thanks for reading and the clappies. Lita
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 15 of 15
