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*

[Kelly Scheppers]

Love your analogy...you expressed it without overkill. Cool avatar, too!

[adichie]

What, girl??? I think your avatar is,killing it right now!!!

Thanks for showing my little write some love!!! :):)

Adix

[LitStar]

this one pierces sharp like a diamond in the rough

very enjoyable

[adichie]

Haha! Now you’ve got me thinking about Aladdin, which I saw the other night. The Diamond in the Rough... :):)

Thanks so much for a great comment!!!

Adix

[LitStar]

you're most welcome

[jacob erin-cilberto]

excellent metaphor...yes, even books wear out when misused, or mishandled or misread...
and those students who blame everyone and everything but themselves...i have had those before.
good piece,
j.

[adichie]

Thanks so much, Jacob!!! What’s a girl to do? There are only so many at the top of the class, so it’s only a matter of time before you run into someone who doesn’t know his way around literature, so to,speak. :):)

I appreciate your thoughtful and intelligent commentary.

Adix