i love the smell of old books.

last christmas my papaw gave me a book that he had kept since he was in 3rd grade. its a small, black book & when you flip through the manillia colored pages, you can smell the antique mustiness. i love the smell of old books. i can't help but imagine my papaw as a small boy, sitting in his one room school house (that i have heard so many stories about) reading through this tiny book. 

the book, "The Loom Of Life" which are poems by Cotton Noe. my papaw's favorite poet, is now...my favorite as well. this book might be one of my most cherished gifts.

MY JEWELS

by: Cotton Noe

His little Blue Dress is hidden away

From the eyes of the vulgar world,--

And the dear little Shoes,--more precious are they

Than silver or gold empearled--

Jewels that lure like the stars above,

Hidden from all but the eyes of love.

I watched him oft with a mother's heart

As he played with his dear little toys;

But now he is gone, and I sit apart

And muse of those vanished joys;--

Dream of his eyes and his beautiful hair,

And thrill with the love of a sweet despair.

The gaze of the vulgar world today

Would only my jewel abuse;

And this is the reason I hid them away--

The little Blue Dress and the Shoes:

And I pray that in death my eyes may caress

The dear little Shoes and the little Blue Dress.