Ten years old
Bookmobile Saturday
Two new books- mine all mine
For two weeks!
Chores done
Dishes washed
Clothes laid out for tomorrow.
Pillow at the foot of the bed
Reading by the glow of the hallway light
Filtering through the barely cracked
Bedroom door.
(Flashlights were for adults in our house.)
Hiding
Because I’m supposed to be sleeping.
But I’m flying on the wings of word magic.
Sneaking my reading I’m a rebel;
reading past my bedtime;
A Wrinkle in Time.
-
Now-
Moms thinking they own Liberty,
Edit the books in schools
And libraries.
Writing objections as one hive mind
Trading titles to block
‘Hot Titles to Object to This Week’
Keeps message board bustling
On Untruthful Social.
Teachers can be fired
For making Wrinkle in Time
Available in the classroom.
Librarians reported to police
For gargoyle sex in shelved books.
-
Just 11 people last year
Were behind 60% of all
Book objections.
Including a Wrinkle in Time.
It’s Time to iron out that Wrinkle.
Will today’s 10 year olds
Have to hide everything they read?
Lest someone else’s Mother objects?
-
Who made them boss over our kids?
You can get involved.
Comments welcome.
About the Creator
Judey Kalchik
It's my time to find and use my voice.
Poetry, short stories, memories, and a lot of things I think and wish I'd known a long time ago.
You can also find me on Medium
And please follow me on Threads, too!
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📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 01/08/2026
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocal5 days ago in Resources
Comments (20)
Outstanding Judey! You hit every point so well and amazingly so thoroughly and you did it all in a creative format. This is one of the most enjoyable things I’ve read all week. Thank you for sharing.
gargoyle sex? now I am curious what the heck that is :D
Yes, reading by the crack of light. It felt so comfortably rebellious. And I never got the furore over A Wrinkle in Time. It’s just a joy of imagination.
Nice work big message
Hi 'j' ~ Fun reach-back ~ No, no books. But, Twin and I would cover-shuffle our ear-plug transistor radios to 'Static' out the best reception to listen to our Dodger games. - Thanks for the 'Special' memories - your Specialty - 'j'
A powerfully written poem and prelude to comprehensive dialogue. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing. They need to leave the book banners along- they are part of history.
My girls were, and I was. The book banners don't want people to read because reading sparks intelligence, and makes people think. Great words Juedy
I too was a sneaky reader by torchlight 😵💫😉… still try to self impose a midnight curfew. A Wrinkle in Time started me on the road of Sci Fi & fantasy many decades ago… must investigate its ‘evil’😳
Why would they even do this?! It's so absurd and ridiculous! They should spend their time on better things! Crazy people!
Land of the free? Sick of the rhetoric x
This book has passed me by, I must seek it out.
11 people? Wow! Keep up the fight.
Amen! Preach it!
I was very lucky, my mom did not mind me reading past 2 am. I did not have a book curfew like most kids. Which is why I am wearing glasses now. I am so happy reading three books over the weekend. I am really surprised I get on time for school. This poem is relatable with regard to the passion to read.
Thanks for writing this,, Judey. It is ironic that the people yelling loudly about "freediom" are doing all they can to take it away from others. It is a battle we all must fight for the children of today and tomorrow.
Too true, and I can bet most have never read the books they are so adamant about destroying.
Your story drives a point well but it only took one person to get prayer out of school 🥲
thank you for sharing this Judey! I'm currently reading a book that is outstanding but I keep thinking how it should be the type of modern book we learn in school, and that very reason makes me think it would get instantly banned by idiots. It's a helpless feeling in many ways.
Love this on so many levels - first, in bringing me back to my own blanket-fort night reading sessions, and then with your call to action. Down with censorship! On with reading that expands your world view!