On Loan

A poem written to a family member, who'd borrowed a book of mine. You know the story. Enjoy!

I saw it in his bookcase,

the only copy that I’d owned,

I had such desire then and there

  to take it out take it home,

I assumed he hadn’t read it,

knew it wouldn’t be so missed but

  that urge to remove I

  was fighting to resist.

 

It was only on a loan, but

  got lost beneath the ‘list to do’,

of school, uni, a job and

  then the list just grew.

He’d had it for about six years,

it hadn’t graced my shelves,

I had such desire to remove it and

  read the book myself.

 

I left it sitting in the shelf,

he wasn’t there to ask, but

  wondered if perhaps this

  particular ‘fad’ had past,

these days he was into other things,

college life had taken hold,

then a job and everyday life

  had enveloped him in its fold.

 

I decided that to buy another copy

  was probably the best to do,

then I’d have it back again, but

  all bright and glossy new.

But then again it occurred to me

  when I had it bought,

instead of leaving it in my shelves,

the nagging to read it

  was my thought!

Reviews

[barleygirl]

The nice thing about being forgetful, I don't grind about this stuff becuz I don't remember whatever I once owned. Plus, being old, I'm looking to get rid of a ton of junk before it becomes someone else's problem (when I die). Anyhoooo, all that aside, I have to say you have expertly conveyed the way many people's minds work, not being able to let go of a detail that seems it must be set right. The funny part is how you, at the very end, make this about actually READING the book, rather than the obsession with HAVING the book which pervades your poem. That is the true cleverness of your wordplay. Enjoyed it very much (((HUGS)))

[Richard M]

Thank you for reading Margie, so glad you liked it. Just a poem of silliness, after all it is just a book. But you are so right, just seeing the book there, sparked my desire to have it back, through principle. Such silliness!
Take care my friend (((HUGS)))