How Do You Treat Your Books

Are your books a treasured possession,
That you treat with great respect?
Always use a bookmark,
Keep them quite perfect.
Or are you the reader
Who turns the corner down?
Who's books are worn and comfortable,
Dog eared and beat around.
Do you scribble in the margins?
Or crack open the spine?
Leave a book splayed open,
Or do you consider this a crime?
Are books to you so sacred
That they always look pristine,
Once you've finished reading
They still look new and clean.

I always use a bookmark,
Of this I must confess.
My Granny would be horrified
If I did anything less.
But as for keeping them unblemished,
This I can't declare,
Some of them are well travelled
And showing signs of wear.
They have been on beaches,
Stuffed inside suitcase's,
Got sand and water damage
And even suncream traces.
Some have been pre-loved before,
Been handed down to me
And whether they were treated well,
This I couldn't guarantee.
I know that books are precious,
I try not to destroy.
I want to share them with you,
Let everyone enjoy.

3rd March 2017
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017


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Date: 4/6/2017 10:51:00 PM
Great poem! Personally, I love books but it pains me to buy them because of I know I'll feel guilty as sin the moment they suffer incidental injury. I've bought Vonnegut's Galapagos 4 times so as to ensure there's always a pristine copy nearby :)
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Elizabeth Kinch
Date: 4/7/2017 1:45:00 AM
Four times, really!? : )
Date: 4/5/2017 5:25:00 PM
Your words took stage and treated the reader to a glimpse of the love you hold for your books. Well written. Emile.
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Elizabeth Kinch
Date: 4/6/2017 1:32:00 AM
Thank you Emile
Date: 4/5/2017 8:34:00 AM
I LOVE THIS POEM. As an avid book collector/reader. with a massive library collected over a 47 year span, my books are jewels to me.. Super 10 and a fav on his gem, my friend..
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Elizabeth Kinch
Date: 4/5/2017 11:09:00 AM
Thank you very much Robert, I love my books too.
Date: 4/3/2017 12:55:00 PM
Well I guess you could say mine are in pristine condition, I have a huge personal library and haven't read any of them. Someday maybe they will show some wear, but for now...dust is the only thing they could complain about. :) Nice one Elizabeth. I really enjoyed this.
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Elizabeth Kinch
Date: 4/3/2017 2:18:00 PM
I love losing myself in a book. Thank you for commenting Chris.
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