he didn’t bring me precious jewels
to sparkle bright at birthday celebrations
nor did he bring me singular art treasures
for fifty-one years as his only daughter
he didn’t bring me clothes of high fashion
nor did he bring me music of the masters
my daddy brought me books and words
he brought me visits to the Tremont Library
every two weeks, hand in hand on a walk
despite a pile of bills waiting to be paid
despite job losses and back breakdowns
despite his delivery truck in the fix-it shop
every two weeks, we did the library stroll
he brought books stacked Eiffel Tower high
books which grew a life in my bloodstream
books which grew me to a wordsmith, a college grad
grew me to a poet from the Bronx and Queens
grew me to this Los Angeles writer woman
grew me to gratitude for daddy’s gemstones
(books from Beyond Baroque in Venice, CA)
© 2011
The Juice Bar 
Roz, you are a jewel and your words are gems…thank you for your bounty of work, you are a jewel in your daddy’s crown. He would be so proud of you. Love Lisa xoxo
Me tinks he gave you love….Maybe the best gift of all!!!
Lovely!
Roz, I remember this from your reading but I find it even more poignant l in the reading of it. Love the title as well.
Lisa, a beautiful photo that goes so well with the theme.
i love this one, roz. beautiful.