Read All About It!

Greetings Readers!  Marissa De Haan here.  After an epic battle of poetry, lyricism, and communication skills, English studies trumped all when I was called upon to declare my major.  I’m gearing up to graduate from Trinity Christian College in May.  Open Books has welcomed me with open arms (not the Journey song) and I’m excited to dust off my English knowledge of grammar, spelling and punctuation to help champion the literacy movement and take ownership of some of Open Books’ projects in Chicago.

I moved to the south Chicago suburbs three and a half years ago, following my two brothers and decent scholarship, thinking mostly about all of the great places there would be to see and all the restaurants at which I could eat, and entirely forgot about a crazy little thing called Winter; coming from Hanford, California, the snow and sleet are foreign, but after observing and taking notes, I’ve learned to brace myself against the wind.  I’ve also taken to wearing snow boots and puffy coats, even if I don’t look attractive.  “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” et cetera.

Though it’s sometimes difficult for me to recognize the immediate differences between an Alexandrine and a Canzone, I still love poetry.  It’s a rush (of nerdy-ness and fun) to work for Open Books and will continue to be as long as I’m working with books and literacy—which will be all the time, really.

Haikus are my favorite form of poetry because the format is easy to remember, to follow, and to read.  However, I don’t always write about seasonal things, as one of the tenets requires…

Haikus to a bibliophile

Pull from the bookshelf
A dusty first edition
Archaeologist

Check the call number
Look at the neighboring texts
Accurate archer

Wipe off the cover
Delicately crack the spine
Trained chiropractor

Flip to the ending
Ruin all hope for surprise
Impatient child

Find a nearby lounge
Discuss humanity’s themes
Philosophizer

Count all the chapters
Flip through the pages in each
Mathematician

Softly worn pages
The smell of musty leather
Bibliophile

Apart from haiku wars (competitions of written conversation that only use haiku form) I love to eat.  Thai food, Chinese food, Mexican food, or anything that will probably clog my arteries is generally a good choice.  My hobbies include being a performer, appreciator, purveyor, and criticizer of all kinds of music (I am a general music minor, after all).  If you can’t find me, look in a library or a coffee shop.  I’m always on the lookout for my next cup of coffee, and another poet to explore; the smell of musty pages or the freshest French Roast draws me in every time.

Talk to you soon,

Marissa