You are currently viewing Books: What Do You See # 240 – May 27, 2024
WDYS, 5/27/24. Image credit; Dollar Gill @ Unsplash

Books: What Do You See # 240 – May 27, 2024

Does this picture inspire you to write something?

Yes. Written for Sadje.

“A book, too, can be a star,
a living fire to lighten the
darkness, leading out into
the expanding universe.”

Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time


Words In Books

Marooned and alone in my one-man isle,
marooned and pressed flat in my real life,
but how lucky I am, a book “happened”
to me — my Once Upon a Time began.

I laughed aloud at the malarky that
between the covers cut me wide open.
A life far removed from my very own
gave resonance to my own. Imagine!

Voyaging I go through time in my books
without even moving my two left feet.
I am happy I let myself be found
for a printed book to happen to me.

It was natural how I let the prose
enwrap me whole and declare I was seen
and welcome to live within the story.
The buoyancy of a different life

exhumed the buoyancy in my candor,
the weird exactness of their supersized
truths, outsized the humdrum I bore daily:
knowing I was not alone aligned me

with the temper within my restless soul.
And slightly exhausted I would arrive
at the end of one tale and when I close,
in it I would remain a pressed flower.

The life-giving might of literature
helps me to see what I carry inside,
endows me with universal language,
teaches me to think about life in prose.

      © selma


“One must always be careful
of books, and what is inside
them, for words have the power
to change us.”

Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel 

Thanks for reading.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 21 Comments

    1. Selma Martin

      Yes. They do. May they go far and beyond. Yay for books.

  1. Suzette Benjamin

    Deeply insightful poetry Selma. I love: “It was natural how I let the prose enwrap me” What a beautiful comfort described or an image by which to be so blessed.

    1. Selma Martin

      So pleased you liked dear Suzette. Blessings on your new week.

  2. Mason Bushell

    What a wonderful, fun and emotional poem, Selma. There is nothing like a good book to take us from dark, stark reality and give us precious moments of solitude, adventure and peace. I love the quotes too, well done.

    1. Selma Martin

      Mason. So sweet of you to read and comment. And so pleased you enjoyed the lovely quotes and agree with what books do. Thanks. Have a blessed week.

  3. Sadje

    This is so well written and expressed my friend. The might of the literature is indeed a force to be reckoned with. Thanks for joining in.

  4. michnavs

    I just love the flow of this Selma…it also has a musical vibe especially when I read it out loud.

  5. Indira

    So insightful poem, Selma. I loved the quotes.
    ‘…The life-giving might of literature
    helps me to see what I carry inside,
    endows me with universal language,
    teaches me to think about life in prose.’

    1. Selma Martin

      You’re so insightful dear one. Thanks so much for reading and liking. Bless you, Indira. 🤗

  6. byngnigel

    Very wonderful writing, Selma. Books have always been a cocoon for my mind. The shield and sword when confronted with challenges of life. Literature has been my constant companion. 🙏

    1. Selma Martin

      Gotta love the way you express yourself. You always sound well read.
      Thanks for reading mine today. Blessings.

  7. Anonymous

    This is stunning, Selma. Life really is better in prose. Gorgeous, gorgeous writing.🖤🩵

    1. Selma Martin

      I appreciate every comment. And even more so when I know who opened their heart to me.
      Thanks, Anonymous.
      Glad you agree life is better
      in prose. 👏🏽 🤣 🤭

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