Belinda Brooks Loved Library Books

Belinda Brooks¹ loved library books,
She hoarded² them all for herself.
She'd check them out to spread them about
or straighten them up on a shelf.

She boxed her books in crannies and nooks.
She filled every crevice³ and crack.
She stuffed her home with textbook and tome
but never would take any back.

Her dresser drawer held novels galore.
She kept them in cases and cans,
with lots and lots in packets and pots,
and packages, parcels and pans.

She cleaned and wiped the volumes she swiped,
and tenderly treasured each book.
She'd sit for days and lovingly gaze
at all the editions she took.

In bowls and bins⁴ and baskets and tins,
in canisters, cartons and crates,
so poor Miss Brooks, with all of those books,
was wanted in fifty-two states.

For she was fined, but always declined
to pay or surrender the books.
And so, in shame, Belinda became
the biggest of library crooks⁵.

When she got nailed, Belinda was jailed
and sentenced to years for her deed,
so now, with time for pay for her crime,
she's finally learning to read.