the important book.

i found this in our school library today.  written by margaret wise brown (of "goodnight, moon" fame) and illustrated by leonard weisgard.

there is a simplicity to this writing that strikes me hard.

and on and on.  it's simply beautiful.

and so, tonight, in the style of ms. wise brown:

the important thing about fuzzy socks is that they are warm.

they can be any color

but when you move your toes around

the cozy-ness inspires you

to believe in cold weather

(no matter what the temperature outside).

but the most important thing about fuzzy socks is that they are warm.

the important thing about my body is that it is alive.

it is in good working order

it is strong in most places

it can cause me unfettered angst that i abhor

it moves, and dances, and makes love, and made babies, and crouches down to speak to five-year olds, and houses my bones and my guts and it is good.

but the most important thing about my body is that it is alive.

the most important thing about ice cream is that it tastes good.

it is creamy and cold

when you put it on your tongue

and the flavors are perfect

when the mint collides with the dark chocolate

and the coconut provides the bass line.

but the most important thing about ice cream is that it tastes good.

the most important thing about dogs is that they love you.

they are furry or hairy, tiny or huge,

pretending to be human or happily settled into canine-ness

they offer warm bodies to cuddle with

nonsensical barking

smiles of delight with tongues hanging about

endless goodness of spirit and joy.

but the most important thing about dogs is that they love you.

the most important thing about kindergarteners is that they are whackadoodle crazy-pants.

they come into the room and screech their hellos

clutch to you like tiny baby monkeys

sneeze in your face and rub your arm for comfort

laugh so much they can't stop

they are so eager to learn their bodies must keep moving

and their hearts are so big that their teachers fall in love instantly.

but the most important thing about kindergarteners is that they are whackadoodle crazy-pants.