Material Memory

This is what Lady Antebellum does to me.

A discarded book that spends its days alone.
It was read once, and only once.  Ever.
The reader passed on, and is, perhaps, dead.
Someone picks it up, flipping through pages, remembering.
But they can't bring themselves to read that book.
Anger and fury swell up from within.
All is released in a smile and a tear.
A broken person drops a broken book.
A discarded book spends its days alone.

Author's Note

Not, sure about some ,of those com,mas. Tell me, if I adde,d some where they, didn't make sense.,

Reviews

[Ria Benthil]

Dear Austin,

The ultimate concept for the poem is appealing, and it is also many can connect with the words. Even through the simplistic style of the writing it can also evoke memoirs of a thought provoking book, or the book can also be a metaphor for human life. At times, toss the book angrily across the floor once we are finished because of how personal we become with its contents. The similar process happens with our mundane lives; the desire to bury memories that we are shameful towards.

In regards to your comma placement, there are several mistakes within the poem itself, and clearly in the author's note which could have been an honest typo error. However, here is a list where commas were used incorrectly:

1. "It was read once, and only once, ever."
It should read, "It was read once and only once ever."

2. "The readers passed on, and is perhaps, even, dead."
It should read, "The readers passed on and is perhaps even dead."

Comma placement is a difficult little demon to fight against, and even the best writers make these common mistakes.

Overall, it was a refreshing read. It prompts me to reread a book that I enjoyed, but I almost dread certain events of the story. Good work, indeed.

Poet Ayra Vero Luccan