In honor of Banned Books Week, I’m sharing my poem “The Banned Bookmobile” which was first published in the Fall-Winter 2022 issue of Rat’s Ass Review.
THE BANNED BOOKMOBILE by Joanne Corey
Do you need a special license to drive
a bus of books? Children
are more fragile; books,
more combustible.
Children’s minds need fire,
need those books to start a blaze.
How else to know that a pair of penguin
dads can raise a chick?
That witches and wizards can be evil
or good or somewhere in the flawed between?
That even the bluest eye cannot
confer beauty and love?
That it’s a sin to kill
a mockingbird?
(You can read a bit of backstory for this poem in my blog post here.)
Share this:
Joanne Corey 
Really nice references to the books that consistently pop up on the list. TY for sharing.
ps I thought of you immediately when I read the Pope’s new statements on blessing same sex unions and women in the church.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ellen! It’s sad how many books are being banned, often from just one or two people demanding it.
I’m trying to be hopeful but realistic as the synod opens in Rome. Will the voice of the Spirit finally break through and set us on the path toward being truly catholic, as in universal?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it, especially with the Easter eggs about specific books!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was fun to figure out which books to reference and how. Unfortunately, the banned book list is long…
LikeLike
Excellent choices for short and powerful poem. Few words, big message.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, JoAnna! Condensing is a thing poets (usually) try to do.
LikeLike
What a lovely way to protest book banning. Thank you for sharing this. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! I’m glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person