I am a book

Write about what you know, they said.

I am a book.





I am a book,
or so I’ve been told.

Educated men know how to read me.

Another type of man
can only stare at me.

Can’t make out
the title on my spine,
let alone
my etymology,
the mapping,
the margins of me.

And yet they
scratch away
some of the kindness
on the cover.

That type of student
(every village has one)
sits around, irritated and lacking,
blaming the book
when he fails the exam.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

WOW! WOW! And WOW! This is a brilliant way to describe & connect concepts which are unexpected! I love books & I love vocabulary, but sometimes people comment on how I use complex words . . . becuz they don't understand me, they put me down for trying to be too uppity with the way I write. In the old days, I dialed back my smarts, so I wouldn't be intimidating anyone. Now I'm an old biddy & I'll be as articulate as I want to be! I love this poem. It's a celebration of accepting how one's personal volume is crafted & presented to the world! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[adichie]

No girl, I’m with you. Never dial anything back to suit the jealous in our society.

And as to the old biddy business... you’re no more an old lady than I am, okay??? :):). Let’s just get that out in the open right now!!! No need to accept the geriatric view of the world some body piercing of a person wants to put on you. I really like your vibe, which is neither infant nor crone. It’s just right.

Merci for your incandescent, empowering comment, Margie!!!

Adix

[barleygirl]

This is a great response & I will respond to your private msg soon . . . I also really like YOUR vibe! *smile*

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Aye, books with attractive covers but not everyone (d)cares to look what's inside. And I abs agree - we always do find a way to blame over lackings on other things, or people.
Excellent metaphor, nicely worded.

[Lea Sheryn]

Interesting. A good description of books.

[adichie]

Thanks very much, Lea!!! :):)

Deb

[Lea Sheryn]

You're welcome, Deb. :-))

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A sober and sardonic, well formed free verse that flows with pathos and a touch of vitriol. Works very well indeed.

[adichie]

Thanks, John, and lovely to meet you!!! :):)

What’s life without a little pathos and sardonic wit from time to time?

Thanks kindly for your comment.

Adix

[Nearly Blonded]

ooooh your usage of metaphors never fails to impress me as i've read through more of your work. comparing yourself to a book is something i've never really seen before. but it works wonderfully here as you show your intelligence and the complexities of your person not always being understood by others and often discarded. continue to celebrate yourself and your story :)

[adichie]

Thanks so much, NB! :):)

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

This is so amazing!
That's exactly how is it. Some has the true eyes to see, true heart to decern and true mind to understand. It's not everyone that sees truly see. Only few people do. Most put blames on others while they themselves are to blame. This doesn't only happens in relationship, I think it happens in every aspect of life where people blame other for their own mistake.
Just looking at it from the aspect of life.

[adichie]

Thanks so much, Kay! :):)

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

My pleasure..

[Kailani]

I love your way of not only anthropomorphizing the characteristics of a book but also identifying yourself with those properties. I guess the way I took it was about the loss of respect for reading and books in general. All in all a really memorable poem.

[adichie]

Yes, we’ll the last thing we want is a Brave New World with a bonfire genocide outside of every school and library. Treat books well, learn to string two sentences together, and while you’re at it, speak a civil word to the people around you on the planet. That would be my message to some of them out there!!! :):)

Thanks for a delightful comment, Kailani.

Deb :)

[Ted Kniffen]

Books should be treated with respect...even the badly written ones. Too many choose to scrape away at what they don't understand...dog-earing the coffee stained pages...breaking the spine to flatten the chapters and when they are found lacking, blaming the book for the inadequacy of their responses.

Well written allegory here, adichie.

[adichie]

Oh, thank you so much, Ted!!! Moral of the story: even if you can’t read or understand, handle any and all books with hazmat care!! :):)

Grateful for your visit.

Deb :)

[Lydia Shutter]

Splendid metaphor! If someone is not intelligent enough to read the book of you, it is time to close HIS book put him on the shelf! Loved this one. Lydi**

[adichie]

Hahaha! Now that’s very well cast, indeed!!! Close his book!! Still smiling at that! :):)

Thank you so much, Lydia, for passing through and leaving me with wise words and a glint of magic as well!!!

Deb :)

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

Thats extreamly deep and meaningful,i love the way u discribe and look at things. Ur poetry is fantastic

[adichie]

Thanks so much, cimmy!!! :):)

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

Ur most welcome