Several years ago I had the honor of signing at a renowned bookstore in Denver, Colorado cleverly named Tattered Cover Book Store. I bought a t-shirt that day to commemorate the special event and, woven of soft blue cotton, it quickly became one of my favorites. Through the years I wore that shirt as I wore the covers of my treasured books, reading late into the night. Now the t-shirt itself is a “tattered cover”.
I have oft remarked of this coincidence—the shirt existing exactly as its logo implies...
My Tattered Cover
My tattered cover wraps silken pages
Weathered by memories of fingertip nights
And legs curled in sun drenched chairs
Words playing leap frog in affable rows
Folding—origami of time and tale
Bound and binding
Cadence remembered like a song
My tattered cover drapes tender heart
In yesterday’s fabric still loved
Soft as puffs of dandelion poised
Found dancing against familiar curve
Folding—communion of cloth and body
Worn and wearing
Each warmed by the other
Landmark where the two assemble
Silken pages and tender heart
Ample shelves surrender dreams unending
And far-flung journeys real or imagined
Holding—bounty of magic and paper
Rugged brick shouldering the wind
– Brooke Bessesen, July 2009
As a naturalist, Brooke studies vital biomes and the unique animal species that inhabit them. Her restless spirit takes her traveling as often as possible to work with wildlife and support conservation efforts. As a children's book author & illustrator, she helps others explore the natural world too. And collects memorable experiences connecting with her readers. Brooke shares these writing and animal adventures here in her blog. Join her every second and fourth Friday of the month for a peek into her special world of words and wildlife.