At the Library

by Nikki Grimes

I flip the pages of a book and slip inside,
where azure oceans wait and pirates hide.
I find a wonderful place where birds can talk,
where children fly and trees like to walk.
Sometimes I end up on a city street.
I recognize the brown-skinned girl I meet.
She’s skinny, but she’s strong, and brave, and wise.
I smile because I see me in her eyes.