Magical Crayons

I had a wooden desk when I was a little girl. A kid-sized roll top with cubbies inside. I remember small drawers for pencils and paper. There was a small chair that matched the dark wood of the desk and there I sat to write stories. More likely, I drew pictures to tell the stories because I wasn’t quite old enough to write words yet. Colorful crayons and markers, the possibilities were endless! I liked that desk. I liked the cozy space it gave me in the corner of the dining room. My mother had me play there because it was next to the kitchen and living room, where she would spend her time.

When I was older, I had outgrown that desk so I lay out my stories on the dining room table. Having created a booklet out of paper and staples, the words and pictures carefully laid out from beginning to end, I would take my book to the two little children next door. I would sit on the steps while they sat in the grass. Then I would read, holding it up to show the drawings, just as a teacher or librarian would. Complete with vocal embellishments. I remember this happily.

Childhood Magic

Remember when I used to write
Stories in the corner.
Magical crayons displayed
With paper for construction
Across the plastic table.
I was small. Big ideas.
And words in bold letters
Were printed neatly in a row.
I was taught to write in a line
With correct punctuation.

I drew a bright picture.
A tree, green and bright.
A house. A sun. A puppy.
A child’s handwriting
Took flight. Unfolding
My imagination.
The pages carefully stapled.
The first books. Children
Of the grown-up artist.
Hope of the future.

Shelley Rae Bell

Blurb…

A sea turtle makes a wish to swim in the sky. A monkey can fly through the trees. Eduardo has new friends and a new home as his wish comes true, and so much more!