Read

Entering the doors,

a world of stillness

envelops me.

It is another realm,

quiet and firm,

different from the one

of harried chaos outside.

The realm’s inhabitants

fail to glance my way

as I pass through

the fateful portal.

They too are quiet and firm,

the only sound their

fingertips whispering over

well-worn pages.

 

Their eyes shift

left to right

down

left to right

down

left to right

down

with the shifting of the words.

It is a harmonious dance

between the words and the eyes,

between the print and the reader,

which consumes attention

and transports one into

an even smaller realm.

My feet glide over

the carpeted floor.
Swift and soft secrets

rise to my ears;

the building murmurs its secrets

for me to hear.

Slow my breathing.

Hear my heart beat.

Listen to the words that

beckon me amongst

the towering shelves.

 

They rise.

Skyscrapers and trees

intermingled in a dream

of both man and nature.

Their occupants whisper louder

in the respectful silence,

yet never break it

for fear of being caught.

My heart races faster

on my adventure.

Adrenaline latches onto my muscles

and urges me faster.

body moves gingerly,

careful not to upset

the realm’s seemingly porcelain equilibrium.

Amongst the shelves,

the occupants gaze down at me.

Eyes of so many colors flash,

some opulent and some boring.

Words beg me closer.

To touch.

To feel.

To read.

So many! How can I choose?

 

Each occupant is its own portal

to another realm and

another adventure.

the choice of which to enter

is a difficult task.

Among the occupants who plead

to be touched

to be felt

to be read

I meticulously scour the shelves

for the next portal by which to travel.

The realm itself holds its breath.

My fingers lovingly brush

the covers, searching for

the perfect mate of words

to fit my lonely eyes.

There!

My lonely eyes alight

on an occupant.

Hidden in the shadows,

dust masks its

underlying brilliant sheen.

I wish it from the shelf

and into my arms,

cradle it to my breast,

and proceed to rest

in a very comfortable chair.

From there, I open the occupant

to read his story.

 

Like him, they all talk,

but in whispers

the ordinary ear cannot hear.

It takes

a keen eye

an attuned ear

an understanding mind

to find a story that fits.

From there, the adventure begins

as I plunge into his.

He whispers to me of

romance

intrigue

action

mystery

winding                                    me

                        into                                          a spell

that                                                      warps

                                   my                               mind

                                                            into                  dedicated

                                               commitment.

I                       am

                                                no                    longer              in

                        reality              but

            in        his

                                                spinning                      and

                                    wonderful                                            world.

           Before                                      long

the                   adventure                    is                      over,

and      I           feel      the       realm

gradually          returning          to me.

 

These are the whispers of words,

which draw us into holy places.

They tell no lies,

merely the stories they

were meant to murmur.

Each one is

a portal

an adventure

an individual

who imparts the knowledge

from beyond their covers.

They are housed in

a permanent quiet and firm realm.

Here we come to absorb their wisdom

and learn what we must.

In my adventure,

I have

touched

felt

read

so much that I must

impart to my fellows,

who will then share that wisdom

with their own fellows.

It is a magic spell cast

and passed among all of us.

We need only pick up a book

and read.

 

As for me?

I shall be searching

for another adventure.

Author's Note

I love a good book. How about you?

Reviews

[Poetic Beauty]

I love to read and this sums up the passion for it quite well. It is an escape from the every day life chaos and allows us to be transported anywhere we desire to go. Characters in a book take on a life of their own.

There are too many lines to repost that are stunning with detail and thought.

[Rahul]

I read your work after a long time, this poem's great. I want your to write one book on it .
beautiful write.

[E.V. Black]

Thank you very much for your review!

[KisuKimmi]

This is a really good poem =) I like it, excellent.

[xxlheart]

this is so clever. i seem to be wrapped up in children's books these day but once upon a time yes i did love a good book :) excellent write!!

[E.V. Black]

Thank you! I appreciate your review.