The Joy of Reading

When I was a poor kid growing up in Wyoming my window to the world was through the Hot Springs County Library.  In reality it was a small library stocked with older books most of which, I am certain, were donated.  But to me it was the entry point to a vast universe of knowledge.  There was one 5 foot long shelf of science fiction novels and short stories.  I devoured the entire shelf.  I can vivdly remember checking out a stack of books, going to the City Park, which surrounded the library, and spending several hours losing my self in dreams of what could be.  Jules Verne and H. G. Wells were my companions.  An experience like this has no equal.

I always loved Robert Frost.  I am still amazed how he could take such simple words and combine them in a way to build a mental picture of incredible clarity.  His poetry always makes me feel good.  Here is one of my favorites.
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               THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
              ...Robert Frost
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Then I was introduced to Alfred, Lord Tennyson.  He was for a time the poet laureate of England and for good reason.  He had more talent in his little finger than I have in my entire body.  His poetry is awe inspiring and filled with wonderful insight.  Here is one of my favorites.
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          CROSSING THE BAR
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.
          
              ...Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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Reading it just gives me the shivers.

Although reading is still my number one activity I have lost the innocence of youth.  The computer monitor is gradually replacing paper as the means to deliver the printed word to me.  Fiction has been replaced by scientific and technical work.  Then, without warning, an event occurred that is so important it ranks shoulder to shoulder in importance with Gutenberg's invention of the printing press.  It is the invention of the electronic book.  My favorite version is from Amazon and is called Kindle.  This little device which is smaller than an ordinary paperback book can hold the entire contents of thousands of books.  Not only that but there are nearly a million titles available for instant download.  I cannot overstate how important this device is in making knowledge universally available.