One of the favorite memories of my childhood, was in elementary school. I learned from different writers of poetry.  One of the poems was by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which was titled The Village Blacksmith  

We were to have a school program to present to our parents, to show them the things we were learning in school. I had memorized the entire poem as my part of the presentation. I think I was in sixth grade 

My long-term memory tells me, I worked very hard to learn the poem. I'd spend many hours going over and over the lines until I had memorized this very long poem. As I'd be walking home from school, on the long walk of 2 1/2 miles,  I would be reciting line after line of the poem. When I got home,  after going to bed I would lay in my bed and recite the poem as well. This probably is the time I began to love poetry.

When it came time for the school program, I had the poem so well memorized, my teacher told me that I could recite it from the top.

When I recited the poem, as my part in the program, I did not miss a word in reciting it. I felt like that was quite an accomplishment for a girl as young as me. And I was so proud of myself.

I think my parents were probably very proud of me as well, although I don't remember them ever praising me for it.