Connie Gildersleeve Poet Free verse

Physicality of a Book

Books line my bookshelves, dog-eared with love.
Hardcovers, paperbacks and a few leather-bounds.
Some classics, some romances and poetry abound.
Rummaging in used bookstores plays out in my mind.
I'm always seeking out those special finds.

I'm drawn to the unique old musty, heartwarming smells,
Especially the leather-bounds marked with old age.
Feeling the crackling pages, seeing ink on faded white.
I've been known to flip through pages and breathe it in.
It's the sensory experience, a connection with the past.

I curl up with words and they curl around me.
Wrapped for rest with a real book in my hand.
It's the actual presence of my most treasured books
That brings the ultimate pleasure than its digital reads.
It is the physicality of a book I believe.

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Abdulhafeez Oyewole May 19, 2013 at 2:48 PM Congrats on your win. Well done! AO Connie Gildersleeve May 20, 2013 at 10:26 AM Thank you for your congratulatory comment. Much appreciated. Warm Smiles, Connie

Donna Jones May 17, 2013 at 8:18 PM I love the smell of old books too... congratulations on your win Connie Gildersleeve May 19, 2013 at 1:22 PM Thank you Donna for your congratulatory comment. Much appreciated. Warm Smiles, Connie

Poet Destroyer A May 17, 2013 at 6:02 PM Congratulations with your awesome poem. CONNIE, thanks for supporting my contest. always~ LINDA Connie Gildersleeve May 19, 2013 at 1:23 PM Thank you for your congratulatory comment. Much appreciated. I hope you're feeling well and had a great weekend. Warm Smiles, Connie

Tim Ryerson May 17, 2013 at 2:37 PM 'Dog-eared with love' and 'I curl up with words and they curl around me'...Wow Connie Gildersleeve May 17, 2013 at 3:23 PM Tim thank you for your visit and your comment. Much appreciated. Warm Smiles, Connie

Sara Kendrick May 16, 2013 at 11:49 AM I agree that the book is so much better than the digital counterpart..Enjoyed reading this very unique and creative work..Thanks for your visit..Your presence at my work is always uplifting..Sara Connie Gildersleeve May 17, 2013 at 3:24 PM Sara thank you for your lovely comment. It means a lot. Have a great day. Warm Smiles, Connie

Betty Bateson May 16, 2013 at 8:19 AM Nothing better than curling up with a great book and relaxing. Well done. Betty Connie Gildersleeve May 16, 2013 at 9:37 AM Betty thank you for stopping by and leaving me a comment. Have a great day. Warm Smiles, Connie

Russell Sivey May 15, 2013 at 3:19 PM I have to admit I'm one who loves the physical book as well, the digital counterpart is nice but it lacks this special appeal that books have! And to have old books is something awesome too! I loved this delicate and delightful poem here this afternoon! This is a spectacular poem my friend! What a wondrous piece, Great Work!! Connie Gildersleeve May 15, 2013 at 5:57 PM They should make a musty book spell in a fragrance for candles. With the new type of light bulbs you almost have to light a candle too so you can read, (Old Eyes), That way you'll have the old book sensory thing. Thanks for stopping by Russell. I enjoyed your comment. Warm Smiles, Connie

Andrea Dietrich May 15, 2013 at 2:37 PM wow, this is so COOL, and to think how everyone is using those damn kindle things today. To me kindle means burn for wood. And I wish they would kindle the kindles except unfortunately they are not made of wood, but our poor books' pages are ultimately from wood. and in the future will be gone from the earth. Can you imagine it? Maybe in 20 years we will see hardly any actual books sold at bookstores any more! Your poem is thought provoking. Connie Gildersleeve May 15, 2013 at 6:03 PM Lol on the kindling the kindle. Thank goodness I won't be around. Can you imagine what it'll be like 20 years from now. Humans walking around having electronic gadgets doing everything for them. How small will a human brain get with lack of use? Thanks for stopping by. I enjoyed your comment. Warm Smiles, Connie

Eileen Manassian May 15, 2013 at 2:02 PM I couldn't agree with you more, Connie. There is just a certain magic that comes form holding a good old book knowing that in its pages...a world awaits to be explored. Love this one! Great poetry from you. Just wondering...should the last line of the first stanza read fines..or finds? Connie Gildersleeve May 15, 2013 at 6:10 PM Thanks you Eileen for the spell check. Much appreciated. I've been working on this poem for weeks, reading, rewriting, correcting, re-reading, etc. Sometimes I need another set of eyes to find what mine has overlooked. Thank for stopping by and I enjoyed your comment. Warm Smiles, Connie