Leaving English by Julia Alvarez

Before leaving English, I cling to words
I haven't paid attention to in years:
dirndl, and trill and sin, until the thought
of spending weeks without them is  too sad
to think about.  Come with me,I invite
my monolingual husband,so at night
you can whisper sweet nothings in my ears
against possesion by my native tongue.
Even if Spanish made me who I was
it's English now that tells me who I am.

You talk like an addict, my husband scolds.
Language is not a drug!(But I get high
working a line until I get it right,
like finding the last piece or bulb
that lights up the whole string of Christmas lights!)
My family claims I have deserted them:
One thing is learning English, another,
to think you're lost without it,por favor!
You left in exile---that was not your fault.
This passion is a second desertion.
Before leaving, I touch the shelves of books,
then close my study door reluctantly
like a child casting a longing glance
at bedtimeat her bears and dressed up dolls
posed to enact some simple ritual,
a tea party,a classroom scene. Stay!
Don't you dare move!But English won't obey,
no living language will.. When I come back
it will take dias to collect myself,
pieces of me not fitting anywhere

Happy Holidays! Last Post for this year.

Hello fellow book addicts I feel like I have been neglecting you.  The Fall 2011 semester is over so I would love
to use this time to play catch up.  I hope everyone has a safe , blessed holiday.  See you again in 2012

Book Review:Becoming a Man of Unwavering Faith

I really enjoyed this book.  The first 9 chapters are directed at men trying strengthen  their faith in Christ.

for example:

I Man of Faith Can change His Faith

II A Man of Faith believes the Word of God

Chapter I opens with the prayer of Jabez, chapter II-IX  is based on I Kings 17-18 here we get a close look

at the prophet Elijah, who is a great example of how to have faith even when it doesn't look like you should

given the circumstances.  Of course  in each chapter Pastor Osteen talks about his experiences and testimonies  as a pastor, but there is no greater testimony than to have an adult child that can also testify

to the princples outlined in the book, which is what Joel Osteen did after each chapter include his

commentary about how he remembered things.   There is also a specific chapter (Chapter 12) "What to
to do when nothing seems to work"

I have a 6 year old son I am going to give the book to when he is older.  I am giving the book 5 out of 5 stars