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Choosing a Book

CHOOSING A BOOK

Every book in the profusion on our shelves
Tells a story that invites us to engage
Draws us with wonderment to turn the page 
But yet more, recounts some truths about ourselves

Seeking new diversion for the darkening hour
I surveyed the library for my selection 
Saw named categories - large and small confections
And discerned the genres readers most devour

Not of endless peace and love to lull the mind
Nor of sweetness and of light the favoured theme
Though we claim to yearn for heaven as our dream
For the longest row of books was labelled: CRIME

While we may deplore environments precarious
They provide us with an endless fascination
(In observing this I make no deprecation)
We embrace them if not first hand then vicarious

Thus let’s not choose total safety as our vice
With an anaesthetic cloud the chosen medium
That could be a state of unrelenting tedium
Since the food of souls requires a dash of spice

For the human spirit has a deep desire
For adventure and a life that is replete
With challenges and perils to defeat
And become the hero that we would admire

3 May 2021

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Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/3/2021 7:34:00 PM

You know, Geoffrey, I'd almost forgotten that the stories in books -- both fiction and non-fiction -- can (and perhaps should) be heroic! The media has dulled my mind to the possibility of heroism in today's Dark Age. Thanks!!! :) gw

Geoffrey Brewer
Date: 5/5/2021 7:13:00 AM

Let there be light! Thanks, Gershon (or Gershwin as spellchecker prefers - could be worse).

Geoffrey Brewer

Date: 5/3/2021 7:05:00 AM

Many thanks for your thoughtful comments; and in particular for pointing out the: ‘Enclosed Rhyme’ format. I hadn’t realised that it had a name; it just seemed to work - now corrected.

Gary Radice

Date: 5/3/2021 1:37:00 AM

Human nature eh Geoffrey? Perhaps we feel safe and happy when reading crime because we are not the victim? A case of schadenfreude perhaps? Perhaps we like to see perpetrators caught and like to feel empathy for the victim? I haven't a clue but your poem has certainly made me think. Thank you for the great read - and I really like the enclosed rhyme scheme. Cheers - Gary

Geoffrey Brewer
Date: 5/3/2021 7:06:00 AM

Many thanks for your thoughtful comments; and in particular for pointing out the: ‘Enclosed Rhyme’ format. I hadn’t realised that it had a name; it just seemed to work - now corrected.