Mural Stories

Wild About Books

Blu Andree - Teen Writer - Fiction

It was getting dark out and I felt the beaded sweat dripping down my clammy back, my heart beating out of my chest as I felt my legs work in tandem with my frantic brain as I heard the communal roar. I stumble over the under as I try to remember how I got here.  I came on a safari bus, it was getting late, and we had turned around and were headed back to civilization.  I had only brought my camera and my now half-empty bottle of water.  I had stood up to hopefully get a good view of the landscape. The bus hit an abrupt bump, and I fell out of the seat.  I hit my head, and everything went black.  I pick myself up and book it, hearing the thumping of their paws drawing closer.  I see some tall grass and push forward, diving into the tall plants.  The thumping comes to a stop.  

I hear my heart thundering, as time crawls slowly past me.

I relaxed, thinking they had passed me.

Before I feel a breath on my neck.

Back to the Return

Angelica Garcia Moyano - Adult Writer - Poetry

Look, listen, smell that scent…  The reddest sunsets, the most imposing sounds… 

Each day could be the last…  A sign here or there could mean so much… 

Calm, stress, life, and death.  All in the same place.

The bird led the others and told stories and curiosities. They looked on with bewilderment; was it a mistake? Perhaps it wasn’t the right time, but the risk was worth it. Exhausted from the long journey, the crowded streets, and the scorching asphalt, the animals felt suffocated and longed for the peace of their homes. Now, freed, they were lost amid the throngs of the big city. To some, it was almost like their grand travels and migrations. Could this great city be another vast savanna or jungle? The undergrowth and trees might be the tall buildings and cars, with the animals as the people, many of them aimless and lonely. All the travel companions paused and reflected. Should we go back? Some voiced strong affirmations, while others shook their heads. Finally, they turned to the wisdom of the old lion, who thanked them for the opportunity to see this new jungle with its grand adventures and experiences.

But together they made the right decision: to return. 

They went back and returned home once more. As the door opened, the little bell rang… The scent of paper, the soft laughter from the children's section, the click of new loans. Each found their place and took their position: aisle, shelf, author, correct page… 

How good it feels to be home!

Well-Versed and Mighty

Kristi Berg - Adult Writer - Poetry

well-versed & mighty

with knowledge

comes power

& with power

comes danger

banned books

& burnings

history

rewritten

dilution of

education

a sea

of change

poised

in our pride

we forge ahead

fearless

a collective

of wise ones

we cannot

be stopped

for we

are wild

aware

& observant

in deserts

or plains

in jungles

of concrete

the waters

the grasses

the leaves

of the trees

sway

with our rhythm

bend

to our will

we create

the world

alive

on our pages

we challenge

we roar

& we do not

give up

for we

are wild

well-versed

& mighty

Wild About Books

Luke Beekman - Adult Writer - Fiction

As we turn to the final chapter, and the pages continue to turn,

We realize there is something on Earth, so beautiful, and so rare, to learn.

The picturesque Safari sunset has given us a chance to gaze upon the beauty of the wild.

Wild About Books is when we get to be inspired by nature, our animal friends, and all it’s child.  

Among all the finest fairytales, Beyond all the best poetic abstractions, Comes a clearing. 

In our mind, there are so many things to imagine, discoveries yet to find, and at the same time we must realize.  There’s so many wonderful things to learn about the world in which we reside.  

In our beautiful planet Earth, may we have pride!  

There’s a pride of lions in stride, with a couple of lion cubs leading the pack. 

A bunch of chimpanzees, hanging out, smiling, and looking back.

There are some watchful bears out there, in the jungle, baby koalas.

Those tall giraffes wearing a scarf full of tall leaves, Don’t you doubt it!

Reach high and wide as the world, if you please.  Books tell-ya-all-about-it!

To be Wild About Books.  Is to let yourself be dazzled by the black and white lines!

The dazzle of zebras in the background of the scene, as a book helps give it meaning.

The full-color photography.  A newfound discovery.  All of it for reading, nature beaming!

As the great grey elephant makes its way to water, and its tiny light grey baby follows suit.

You can almost hear a bray, a toot of the triumphant call, as elephants run to the water to play! 

Can you spot all the spots on the cheetah?  Where his tale holds the fates in balance!

Can you see the brush strokes of the artists, where these murals shine all their talents?

If you spot the ibis birds in the background, they’re already flocked and taking a bird bath.

The cheetah has over 100 spots, that is, if you dare to get close enough to do cheetah math. 

But don’t cheat on math, because there are only so many animals to count in this world!

Our very own planet Earth is a fascinating character, alive with a landscape to behold.

Knowledge about nature, and our planet Earth, is part of the best story ever told.

I’m glad when I put the open book down, we still have a blue ocean and green grass all around.

The happiest ending that ever could be, is our own happily ever after.  To live in harmony.

Once Upon a Library, there were books on shelves that were larger than life, inspiring tall tales and fantasy.  Right at the Tip of Your Mind, our Zion was immersed in a book and opened a whole universe, discovering imagination like poetry.  Wild About Books, where we see our very own world more clearly, where we understand and love and appreciate our planet more dearly.  

It might not be The End…  But a bold new revelation:  Books Move Your Imagination!