221 New poem

Today is writing class and I haven't done the assignment, although I blogged about it two weeks ago. The teacher is very sweet and non-directive, but I don't think it is what she had in mind. However, I did write two poems this week, and I haven't done any poetry for some time. This one is based on a mistake. I collect premier issues of magazines and bought three on January 8, but forgot to look at them. While cleaning my office, I found the sack, and since I'd rather read than clean, I started to look at them. The sales slip floated to the floor and the verso from a distance looked like a poem. I then not only stopped cleaning, but I stopped reading, and sat down and wrote the following poem.

New and unread books and unopened music--a poem
by Norma J. Bruce
Feb. 8, 2004

A slip of white paper
floated from the sack
as I was cleaning my office.
With my no-line trifocals
it seemed a poem at my feet
so I lifted it to my eyes.

Full refund issued
for new and unread
books and unopened music
within 30 days
with a receipt from
any Barnes & Noble store.

Store credit issued
for new and unread
books and unopened music
after 30 days
or without a sales receipt.
Credit issued at lowest sale price.

We gladly accept returns
of new and unread
books and unopened music
from bn.com with a bn.com receipt
for store credit
at the bn.com price.

Why am I cleaning
when new and unread
books and unopened music
are sitting for 30 days
and have no sales receipt.
I must go read!