Read

At work, I loved to read,
I had a small salary,
But I had the chance
To read books.
I found my inspiration
In William Blake and his painting of Death on a Pale Horse
Time has passed, but my heart has not grown cold toward them.
Now I’m reading J. M. Coetzee,
Smoking more cigarettes,
Enduring the summer heat.
Perhaps somewhere in the West,
There’s a woman who resembles me...

Reviews

[Twilight]

I can certainly relate to this, because us guys can love to read too; you know.! More seriously though, it's that uniqueness of finding the joy of reading within a working environment; which seems to have inspired this piece. It's only in one verse, but that still allows it to make the writer's points. I remember too, relatively low paid jobs; where reading helped me to have more pleasant working days. Even when not able to read, at work; I routinely read en route to work (because I travel by bus). Or, re-read favourite books 📚; sometimes. For example, "The Science Fiction Of Edgar Allan Poe"; is a the title which I'm reading at present (en route to work and in other situations where I'm not at home). For practical reasons, I try to read or re-read the bulkier hardback books; only at home. Anyway, by mentioning her enduring of the summer heat, and smoking more cigarettes; I suspect it's just the writer's way of suggesting the passage of time (coinciding with her genuine passion for reading not diminishing). I have heard of William Blake, but not J. M. Coetzee. Elsewhere though, the writer has referenced Kafka; in another poem (and I can certainly relate to his writing which I have at home). I didn't find out about any new authors in work environments, but continue to read or re-read books; as described earlier. Anyway, sorry for digressing perhaps; but I just felt that I wanted to share my own perspective from real-life too. I accept "read requests" on this site, as well. Do keep writing. Respectfully.

[Black Branches]

I recommend you read Nobel laureate Coetzee's Disgrace. ❤️