I was pleased to meet Einstein and learn of his story
He started as a patents clerk, before finding his glory
He published his General Theory of Relativity
But it took a solar eclipse to remove the science communities negativity,
Next I found Curie, and her life’s situation
Poland limited females, with no access to higher education
Yet still she triumphed, graduating top of her class
Winning Two Nobel Prizes, Oh what a lass!
Then I met Tesla, what an interesting chap
Arrived in New York with just the clothes on his back
An alternating motor was his brilliant design
Despite Edison’s attempt to thwart this brilliant mind.
Benjamin Franklin ran away at just seventeen
With no formal education or financial means
His genius for business soon made him rich
Yet his passion for fellow man is what made him tick!
So how did I find all these geniuses indeed?
I went to the library and started to read.
Here you have access to the world’s greatest minds
Best of all, it won’t cost you a dime!
‘I hear people saying that football or rock ‘n’ roll is the escape for the working class. I was always thinking, ‘No, it’s not – the library is the escape.’ That’s where the tunnel is. You’ve access to the great brains of the world and it’s free.
Originally written in response to Writer’s Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge (#WQWWC) hosted by Marsha Ingrao at Always Right.
Education can be one of life’s greatest gifts. Yet, we all learn by different ways and means and a standard exam cannot capture one’s intelligence, drive or brilliance. In fact, hands-on training can often be much more meaningful to an employer. I think there is a place for both in society. Equally, I love a success story, especially from an underdog and history has so many wonderful examples.
Take Care.
KL
New2Writing 
So true. Great poem 🙂
Thanks Jemima. KL ❤
Wonderful poem. I agree the library is a gateway to learning and imagination. There is something to be said about “book smarts”. 📚
True, is it JK Rowling that said something like “If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” A good library will have something for everyone. KL ❤
👍🏻
Love your poem KL. Reading is the perfect escape and entertainment.
Thanks Sadje. 🙂 KL ❤
You’re welcome
That’s a genius poem. I really enjoyed reading that, well done!
Thank you so much for the kind comment. KL ❤
You’re welcome.
True. Library can be a great escape. Great poem, KL. Hands-on experience is much better than book smarts
I think there is a place for both. KL ❤
A wonderful poem acknowledging some great humans and their achievements. Thanks so much for sharing 😊
Thank you for your kind comment. KL ❤
What a fabulous poem KL. I just watched the movie about Curie called Radioactive. Great movie – very thought-provoking. I have always loved biographies – the great successes made by relatively unlikely candidates who worked hard, thought smart, and were passionate about what they did. The library is a great place. Even Kindle can’t replace it. 🙂
Oh, I haven’t seen it Marsha, I’ll have to look out for that one. I love an underdog story and love that so many of them are being brought to light through cinema these days, I loved The Imitation Game and Hidden Figures, both brilliant movies. KL ❤
I’ve written them down in my journal to watch! Thanks KL.
Dear KL Caley,
I certainly concur with Marsha, and I am glad to be acquainted with you through your works presented at your blog named “new2writing”. It seems that you are no longer quite new to writing, considering how competent a writer you have become.
I really like Sir Billy Connolly’s statement as you have quoted:
However, the pandemic is still making it hard for people to access libraries.
I also love your well-written poem with near-perfect rhyming. Personally, I do prefer a poem to rhyme all the way or to rhyme consistently, unless there are compelling or specific reasons not to do so. Hence, I appreciate your effort in rhyming. Since I have been composing mainly rhyming poems, often with end rhymes, internal rhymes, alliterations, assonances, consonances, sibilances as well as rhythmic devices, syllabic schemes, musical patterns, and other subtle or overt features, I naturally gravitate to such features. Needless to say, I enjoyed the partial rhyming in your poem, as well as the ebb and flow of the lines, plus the subject matters of great achievers. Well done!
Wishing you and Marsha a productive week doing or enjoying whatever that satisfies you the most!
Yours sincerely,
SoundEagle