Shelter Between Covers

colored spines line crowded shelves --

index finger absently tracing titles, I choose

where to escape, as afternoon light paints

shadow shapes across saffron walls

 

well-worn pages (comfortable), tranquilize me

like midnight confessions to straying saints --

I settle, as Boston appears upon the horizon

            of my entranced eyes

 

these thin sheets -- some yellowed with age --

are my refuge, elucidating the solace I find in words:

love in lines sewn together by extinct pens,

companionship in characters with convoluted antiquities

 

today the last shreds of August cover me,

like a layer of Egyptian cotton     I stand beside

Esther as she feels the rush of her bell jar lifting, and

            together we breathe

 

before I come back     sipping spiced tea

as the full-faced moon appears in low-sky luster --

a tattered ribbon protects my place in another world,

I smile, knowing my return is only a bookmark away    

Reviews

[Rita L. Sev]

You certainly do not get this experience from an e-reader... Reading this makes me want to go back to the days when my main hang-out was the library (directly across the street from our house) :) Though I have to say that The Bell Jar would not be where I would go for comfort. ;) Wonderful, warming poem, Sarah.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Haha Yeah, I find comfort in strange places... I think that this particular book has a special meaning in that it reminds me of college and the other fifteen times I've read it. :) Thank you so much, Rita.

[Lydia Shutter]

Nothing like escaping between the pages of a book. We befriend the characters....feel we know their likes and dislikes. The imagery in this poem is stunning! "a tattered ribbon protects my place in another world"....the old standby bookmark. There is an old fashioned feel to this poem.....beautifully written. Lydi**

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so very much, Lydia...I'm honored you enjoyed this one.

[Jack...]

Worlds await us on these shelves, adventures we can hold in ouir hands, distant lands and new friends to meet sit silently hoping to share their tales with us. I liked this, it had an old feel to it, dark furniture, mahogany paneled walls, heavy drapes on tall windows and that easy chair, soft, comforting, the perfect seat to get away from it all. Loved this one Sarah.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Jack!

[Troy Henson]

I dont do a whole lot of reading especially long books but your words and the way you express yourself in your writing Sarah makes me feel the need to want to pick up a book, find a tranquil place, relax and just read.

Regards
Troy

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Troy!

[K. Louis]

There's always that special escape found only in words. That last stanza is great!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so very much, K :)

[Clara]

Your words are exquisite as touch and smells become so tangible in your write.
So, so beautiful. I loved this very much.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so very much, Lola!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Another dog-earred page added to my favorites, Sarah...

Thank you for your effulgent glow this evening!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

You are lovely, Kelly...thank you!

[Rocans]

Sylvia Plath reference? quite apt. I absolutely loved this. I can identify with this, as I love books to no end. Your third stanza was strongest for me. Made me laugh a bit with your "well-worn pages (comfortable)" :) Good one Sarah

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Yes, I've been re-reading the Bell Jar in my spare time...for about the 15th time. lol Thank you, my friend!

[Rocans]

is that so? Ive always heard of the book but I haven't read it, nor was I planning to...ur preoccupation with it makes me want to give it a try though

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

As I read your words I feel like I should be scooting away to read a book from you! Swinging on the back porch or lounging on sun room chase.Warm and always thirsty for more words. spectacles high on the bridge of my nose contemplating the slippage of my mind seeping deeper and deeper in until nighttime has covered me with her angora blanket and I gasp as my husband pops round the corner asking if I'm coming to bed. I guess I shall add a new silky bookmark today :)

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Aaww...thank you so much! I appreciate your words!

[Corset]

I especially enjoyed this write Sarah because of the atmospheric ambiance of the thing, I can almost see you nestled in with a cup of tea and a shawl somewhere comfortable and cozy, reading Plath and smiling to yourself. It's a perfect feeling I get from this, I especially loved the lines:today the last shreds of August cover me,

like a layer of Egyptian cotton I stand beside

Esther as she feels the rush of her bell jar lifting, and

together we breathe

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, my friend! Good to see you, it's been a while :)

[Corset]

Thank you, my appologies, please do not think that my absence from your page has anything to do with your magnicent art :) I've been so busy, time for maybe one or two then run, i hope to catch up with you tonight ;)

[Keith LaFountaine]

I've always admired writing in its simplest form: a mode of escape. Even if the novel or story we're reading is still based in reality, it's not our reality which makes it feel different. It's probably what caused me to get into writing.

Excellent work here. The imagery is sublime. I especially love the picture of sipping spiced tea with the moon rising. There's something absolutely perfect even though very little is happening.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Keith. :)