"Selecting a Reader" by Ted Kooser
Yes, I am beautiful: I work hard at it,
wash with skin-gentle soaps, condition my hair.
I take good care of my grandmother’s coat,
a fall of sheer silver fabric, glamorous as her hair
in old photographs. Pay for dry-cleaning even
when I can’t afford to buy books.
Even when I put Adrienne Rich’s book
back on the shelf, knowing I’d never find it
at the local library since it’s been banned.
Since I can’t go there any more. Since
the librarians cried and said they couldn’t let me in.
Crazies were threatening to firebomb the place.
I can’t help the library
nor stop Adrienne from being banned.
All I can save is myself
and my grandmother’s vintage raincoat.
Books Available
Dervish Lions
The Day of My First Driving Lesson
Country Well-Known as an Old Nightmare's Stable
High-Voltage Lines
Knocking from Inside
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