A BOOK WITH A RARE SMILE

Never judge a book by its cover

A Book With A Rare Smile

I saw you there sitting

Patiently inside the library.

In plain, modest, black attire

As you watched all passersby.

 

There I saw you stood

Side by side with other books.

Tucked inside their shelves

Minding only of themselves.

 

You see people every day,

Walking to and fro your way.

Searching over so many rows,

With a frown or rink eyebrows.

 

Day by day, week by week,

Not a single soul would seek.

Came and touched your fabric case,

Slipped and brushed you by the waist.

 

And those who passed you by,

Its seems they’ve been beguiled,

By other author’s flashy books,

They didn’t stop to take a look.

 

Alas! my adamant inquisitive eye

Caught your sweet; unwary smile

Decides to dig, wants to pry

Pulled you out from where you lie.

 

As I ponder, prod and dig

Sifting through every page

Encrypted between the line

A personality that’s so fine.

Behind the veil of intriguing pose

A book I finally get to probe

Hidden beneath plain cover page

Treasure and beauty that never age.

 

You are a treat on this site

You’re a blessing in disguise

For you’ve touched this soul of mine

O, so melt this heart of ice.

 

As I slowly fold this book

Tucked it back from where I took

I realize, that I have not been wise

And now I saw you with my own two eyes.

 

A book with a Mona Lisa smile...

 

~ by NeiL ArandA  11/09/2013 ~

Author's Note

Thoughts and words inspired by Dhaye

Reviews

[Horizon K.]

So firstly, the title is adorable!!
And to look past the cover, past the flashiness that catches the eye, much like love for any human, it is the richness and rarity of the beauty inside that you fall in love with ... This makes me think of those classic pieces of literature, printed long ago and sitting in the library, or with plain "boring" cover at the bookstore... Yet these are priceless treasures... Such a lovely poem!

[NeiL ArandA]

I am so glad you like this one from such high caliber writer. I'm humbled by your sweet words ...Thanks for dropping by Horizon K

[Saddam]

I realize, that I have not been wise
And now I saw you with my own two eyes.
A book with a Mona Lisa smile.

It is quite nice dear. Love this as you describe.

[NeiL ArandA]

Thanks SSAD for your read ...

[Lyn Anderson]

Glad this popped up on the newsfeed. It is a gem.

[NeiL ArandA]

Thanks KLG that you've noticed. Its a repost from my old collection...Glad you like it. :)

[Blue]

I felt like I know that book intimately and personally! This is brilliant, Neil! The last line is quite a punch.

[NeiL ArandA]

Thank you for reviewing and checking this out Blue. I made this for Dhaye a long time ago.

[Blue]

That's why it's so familiar. I must have read that poem dedicated to her ages ago.

[NeiL ArandA]

You are right. Its been a while...Wow you must not be so busy..Is school over ? Blue you have an amazing talent. You are still a raw gem ...You'll achieve greater things one day ...I can see it all on your piece ..

[Blue]

Oh, I am. Exam week... :( I just dropped by on the profiles of those whom I owe reviews and well, you are one of the most constructive reviewers here on WC who gives lengthy and detailed comments. I wish I could review your works in a scholarly way but I'm not as intellectual as you. :)

And Neil, thank you so much! :)

[NeiL ArandA]

Wow that is so humbling. Thank you so much for saying that Blue. I'm just plain and ordinary. If I said so much about your piece Its because the writer was able to construct and pen a piece that draws and stimulate his or her readers mind. We have so many kabayan here Blue that are so talented and brilliant as you. If you see a lengthy review from me there that means their piece are engaging with my brain. And you did that to me in one of your piece...Thanks for dropping by. I'll check out some of your piece. I'm slow now since I have more pending reading request....

[Blue]

Ah, it's fine, Neil. I'm behind RRs, too. Best wishes on your life and everything!

[Mockingbird]

this is a sweet poem whether taken literally or metaphorically. it's lyrical and it is a privilege to find 'the diamond in the ruff.' excellent piece.

[NeiL ArandA]

You saw and read this one too Moc. My imagination went a little wild ... You have been so kind and sweet to me..

[Joyce S. Greene]

This is a terrific poem, Neil. I really enjoyed your metaphor, and you have made your analogy so very well. The last full stanza and line are particularly effective. Excellent!

[NeiL ArandA]

I once again appreciated your thoughtful comments Joyce. Always a pleasure to see your presence.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

A book with a Mona Lisa smile. -- lovely last line.

Comparing a person to a book...I really like this idea. I can see the plain, black book waiting on the shelves, watching the world explode and expand in all the vibrant colors, and yet the book waits, for that one person who will take a chance and pull it out from between the others. This was lovely in a lot of ways.

[NeiL ArandA]

Ms Sarah thank you for the review of my piece . That was very nice and sweet of you .

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

I just wonder why this poem was posted once more with a change...

[NeiL ArandA]

The wonder of your mysterious smile.

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

Neil, I have made a comment there below but the "read more" doesn't allow anyone to read more of it. LOL. I said there that this is better than the first one because like what I've said before, it's not the subject but the beauty of the poem itself is what's amazing in this piece.

Wonder of my mysterious smile? Neil, ha? Don't say my smile is that mysterious. If there will be a chance to become closer to you just like how I became close to other Kabayans here, you will find me as an open book. No mysteries. I'm just who I am. I am friendly to everyone. And I am grateful to those who helped me even in small ways. We rarely talk here, so I seem mysterious to you, but to other Kabayans, they knew me as some of them are my friends in FB also.
Again, Neil, I like this one more, as it is not too personalized, and it can be viewed in different perspective...or with different interpretations.

Thanks, Neil.

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

I'm happy but then so curious
When you say my smile's mysterious

How come you say that it is so
Like you're trying to say there's something not on show?

I'm not comfortable when someone thinks of me
As one with something inside, the one with mystery.

I am just Dhaye, the simple me...



I just put the poem here, Neil. Sayang naman kasi yung bigla kong naisip. Hehe. Alisin ko na yang smile na yan. Mysterious pala yan.

[NeiL ArandA]

Hi Dhaye your spinning some good line here ... lol ...