Book Beginnings / Friday 56

"What happened? Why are we being kept on the plane? asked Rachel as they gathered in a little group. Pam was looking around. "Where's George? How come they didn't call his name?" Lucy cast a questioning look at Sue, who delivered the bad news. "He's dead." Pam was stunned. "What?" "How on earth?" asked Rachel. 
"I knew something was wrong. There was a fuss, but I never imagined ...." said Pam. Rachel was clasping her hands together."Was it the asthma?"
"He was having trouble breathing at the airport."http://rosecityreader.com

The Fish

The first fish
I ever caught
would not lie down
quiet in the pail
but flailed and sucked 
at the burning
amazement of the air
and died
in the slow pouring off 
of rainbows.http://fredasvoice.com

Comments

Juli Rahel said…
Oh wow, that BB definitely gets straight in there. I wonder how they didn't notice George just sort of died! I love the F56, it's very poetic! Realized I wasn't a follower yet so I remedied that ;) Thanks for sharing :) Enjoy your weekend!
My Friday post
Juli @ Universe in Words
June 13, 2014 at 2:52 AM
Harvee said…
I like your fish choice of Oliver's poems. My featured Friday book has a fish on its cover!

Bought some poetry books at a book sale yesterday. Hooray for reading poetry!
Harvee
Book Dilettante
June 13, 2014 at 4:42 AM
Sandra Nachlinger said…
That opening would definitely keep me reading further! I wonder why poor George died, and I have a feeling it wasn't his asthma.
Here's the link to my Friday post: STELLA IN STILETTOS.
June 13, 2014 at 9:44 AM
Kathy Martin said…
Interesting selections. I'm guessing it wasn't his asthma too. I had also never thought of fishing from the fish's point of view. Happy reading!
June 13, 2014 at 10:10 AM
gautami tripathy said…
What a beginning and wonderful 56!

Here is my Book Beginning post!!

AND

Here is my Friday 56 post!!
June 13, 2014 at 10:39 AM
Rebecca @ The Key to the Gate said…
English Tea begins with an attention grabber. It sounds like there might be some humor in this story as well. American Primitive looks amazing from the poem you shared. I will definitely be checking this out. Thanks for visiting me @ The Key to the Gate. Have a great weekend!
Happy Reading,
Rebecca
June 13, 2014 at 11:53 AM
fredamans said…
I can't get past the Mary Poppins-esque cover for the beginning's book. I like it.
Interesting poetry.

Happy weekend!
June 13, 2014 at 3:54 PM
Maura said…
such an interesting opening.

~~ Maura @ Ya Addict.
June 14, 2014 at 8:21 AM
Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said…
Hi Tea,

I loved your choice of the Mary Oliver poetry book, as I now have another great author in the genre to add to my collection. Whilst I don't read much poetry, I do have several books on the shelves, which I will often open at a random page and perhaps just read a single poem. Although I am not a vegetarian, I don't actually like to see the animals which may end up on my plate suffer first, so I don't really like the image Mary paints of the poor fish suffering in his last moments.

I think that the Leslie Meier books might be just a little too 'cozy' for me, although I did enjoy your 'first lines' snippet. I am really struggling with the cover on this particular story as well, is this really how everyone sees us Brits? LOL

Thanks for sharing and have a good weekend,

Yvonne.
June 14, 2014 at 8:50 AM
guiltlessreader said…
I just did a doubletake on that cover -- Mary Poppins a witch?

What a lovely 56 you chose!
June 14, 2014 at 3:38 PM
Katherine P said…
I haven't read any Leslie Meier but I do like the sound of this beginning. The Friday 56 is interesting too. Have a great week!
June 15, 2014 at 10:01 AM
LadyD Piano said…
LOVE it and I really like to fish!
Thanks for stopping by, much appreciation.
June 16, 2014 at 4:24 AM
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