“Dump and Run,” a verse posted here yesterday about a recycling program at the University of Illinois, was inspired by a student recycling program of the University YMCA. Today Steve follows it up with another experience from his years as Executive Director at the University Y.

Verse  —  The Book

The author, Richard Powers, said he would

not sign the book he wrote because he felt

all books were sacred objects.  But, he could,

to help the campus Y, compose a note

explaining this, sign that, and we could sell

them both  at our grand charity auction.

I owned his first book (can one own a holy

thing?) and all the rest, including one

that claimed a national award.  I told

the staff I would not give them up.  We bought,

on-line, a first edition, “Mint,” and sold

it to the richest person there.  He caught

the spirit, made an altar…when he needs

a god, he lights a candle and he reads.

– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL

altar candles