First Edition

Posted by Brad Osborne on June 7, 2021 · 12 Comments 

---

---

~~~

Rarely do I preface my poetry with anything, but this one is a bit special. Although I am a devout minimalist, who inarguably has a difficult time accepting gifts, my sister recently gave me a gift like no other. On her last visit, she gifted me a first printing of Tennyson’s Poems – Illustrated published in 1893. I have never been so touched by kind thoughtfulness. A day has not gone by since, that I did not pick up the book and read something that added light to my life. Thank you, sis! You have given me a true treasure!

~~~

Oh, great poet of yore

Languaged wisdom of sage

Your words pressed to the page

Bound as something more

~~~

Yea, the many hands that held

The songs, sonnets, and psalms

Beauty held within their palms

And life in the moments spelled

~~~

‘Tis here we find, the last divine

An old English given rebirth

Now priceless in their worth

Placed in the hands, now mine

~~~

A tome in well-worn leather

Where the light never fades

Life drawn in wonderful shades

As gift, there can be no better

~~~

Thank you for this worded treasure

To live within the world he wrote

The symphony of colored notes

For me, is nor a greater pleasure

~~~

---

---

Filed under Poetry · Tagged with bound, edition, first, gift, history, illustrated, owenrship, poem, Poetry, priceless, printing, sister, Tennyson, thoughtfulness, treasure