Ode to the Binder

Sharing an old silly poem

I looked through my old writing recently and found a few pieces that made me smile. I’m sharing one of those with you today.

“Ode to the Binder” is something I wrote for a high school English class assignment. At the time, I was working on an epic fantasy series and I kept all my paper notes about it in a binder. That story was the focus of imagination for many years and held a primary place in my heart.

The story notes grew to fill more binders, folders, and notebooks over the years, and I still have them all…

With this poem, I intended over-the-top ridiculousness. At the same time, I tapped into just how important I felt my fantasy story was and poked fun at that.

I hope this silly old poem brings you a smile today. 😊

Ode to the Binder

O Eternal Sheath composed of strong unbending matter,

Clasped together in a certain thickness,

Your three Glorious Metal Rings let nothing you hold

Escape your mighty grasp, while simple folders

May lose hold and let their prisoners slip away.

Your Pockets are the envy of theirs.

What a lifesaver you are to my unorganized room

With papers piled high on desks and chairs—

How perfectly you store these tangled documents

And anything else entrusted to your care.

These and precious memories are placed in your protection

So that they are as baby birds nestled safely under mother’s wing.

O Binder, you are worthy enough to house my entire

Life’s work, and yet are still humble enough to shelter

Endless loads of sloppy schoolwork and scribble.

To you, Great Guardian, I am ever in debt

To your Wondrous Ways of Preservation.

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Thank you for reading! If you’re new here, I’m Katelin Cummins, a Catholic writer, book coach, gamer, and fantasy fan. If you would like to know more about what I write, check out this post. If you want help planning, writing, or revising your novel or nonfiction book, check out my services on my website.