Life as a Book

I had glorious plans for my life. 
Warm ink transforming blank pages, 
destined to be a best seller! 
I felt specially bound. 

Printing press cranked out 
a glossy-colored cover, 
my name plastered 
in bold black letters for all to see. 

Signed inside by my creator 
I only rested on the bookstore shelf 
for three bitter hours 
before someone adopted me. 

Held gingerly each night by gentle fingers, 
eagerly offering my very soul 
until snores dropped me 
on soft, disheveled blankets. 

Word by word and line by line, 
page by page, and chapter by chapter. 
Night after night, I was dynamite 
till shut tight. 

Is that all there is? 
I've slept for ten years now... in a box, 
in a cobwebbed corner of a cluttered closet, 
dressed up and no place to go. 

I'm suffocating!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Ashley Avatar
October 26, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Dear Ron, your personification of a book is brilliant. The imagery is emotive and evocative and the finale is poignant in its longing and angst. Congratulations for your success in Mark’s contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
VanHooser Avatar
November 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Hi Susan, I had to store my books and they have been calling to me...a LOT!!! LOL I long to have them back and that is what inspired this poem. It has been well received including doing well in Mark's contest. Thank you for your kind words. All the best, Ron
Godwin Avatar
October 17, 2025 at 11:15 AM
I was on this pg all by lonesome until the contest. Was a time, when contests winners were finalized, more people came to read poem, but something has happened with that. Too bad. Haven't read each other in a while, need to catch up (so busy with real life recently.) Congratulations on a well deserved win.
VanHooser Avatar
October 17, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Hi CayCay! It is good to hear from you. I have not been on much lately as I'm in the process of reorganizing my writing, and editing poems that have never been shared. It is a HUGE job as I have about 2K poems that I've written over the past couple of decades. I will do my best to catch up, you are right, we've not read each other much lately, something I hope to rectify in the near future. Thank you for the compliment on my poem, you did pretty well yourself! Have a great weekend! Ron
Radice Avatar
October 16, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Your poem speaks volumes for your talent as a poet Ron :) Cheers - Gary
VanHooser Avatar
October 17, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Hi Gary, thank you for your kind words, I'm pleased you enjoyed this poem. It has kind of suprised me in how well it has been received. It was written when I couldn't think of anything to write about! LOL Thank you again! Ron
Toney Avatar
October 15, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Ron, love the personification. This is sustained metaphor done right. From “Warm ink transforming blank pages, destined to be a best seller,” to suffocating “in a box, in a cobwebbed corner of a cluttered closet.” Yikes! Congratulations on your second place win on Mile 21 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 22 has already started.
VanHooser Avatar
October 15, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Thanks Mark! This poem has received some wonderful response and I couldn't be more pleased. I was the first one to submit to Mile 22, that is already done, I can only hope "A Single Flower" does at least as well as "Life as a Book" did! Thanks again, Ron
Godwin Avatar
August 30, 2025 at 7:14 AM
You certainly had a creative inspiration, I've never thought to 'be a book' and now I wonder why. I love their feel and ability to take me to a time out of time. I read book after book from 3rd grade until I fractured my skull in my forties and couldn't retain blah blah blah ... point is, reader should pass it to sibling who'll give to Mom and on and on, that's how my female family readers rolled. Love this. Poetry hugs .. CayCay
VanHooser Avatar
August 30, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Hi CayCay! Books have been a love of mine since I was little. Neither of my parents got past the fourth grade so books were not a part of our house. We literally were hillbillies in the Ozark Mountains of southern Missouri. I had taught myself to read before starting school. They became a passion, holding a book that could answer my questions, take me on adventures was amazing. I still feel that way. Hugs, Ron
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