Home » Poems » Connie Gildersleeve » Physicality of a Book

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.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Abdulhafeez Oyewole

Date: 5/19/2013 2:48:00 PM

Congrats on your win. Well done! AO

Connie Gildersleeve
Date: 5/20/2013 10:26:00 AM

Thank you for your congratulatory comment. Much appreciated. Warm Smiles, Connie

Donna Jones

Date: 5/17/2013 8:18:00 PM

I love the smell of old books too... congratulations on your win

Connie Gildersleeve
Date: 5/19/2013 1:22:00 PM

Thank you Donna for your congratulatory comment. Much appreciated. Warm Smiles, Connie

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 5/17/2013 6:02:00 PM

Congratulations with your awesome poem. CONNIE, thanks for supporting my contest. always~ LINDA

Connie Gildersleeve
Date: 5/19/2013 1:23:00 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

Date: 5/17/2013 2:37:00 PM

'Dog-eared with love' and 'I curl up with words and they curl around me'...Wow

Connie Gildersleeve
Date: 5/17/2013 3:23:00 PM

Tim thank you for your visit and your comment. Much appreciated. Warm Smiles, Connie

Sara Kendrick

Date: 5/16/2013 11:49:00 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
Date: 5/17/2013 3:24:00 PM

Sara thank you for your lovely comment. It means a lot. Have a great day. Warm Smiles, Connie

Betty Bateson

Date: 5/16/2013 8:19:00 AM

Nothing better than curling up with a great book and relaxing. Well done. Betty

Connie Gildersleeve
Date: 5/16/2013 9:37:00 AM

Betty thank you for stopping by and leaving me a comment. Have a great day. Warm Smiles, Connie

Russell Sivey

Date: 5/15/2013 3:19:00 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
Date: 5/15/2013 5:57:00 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

Date: 5/15/2013 2:37:00 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
Date: 5/15/2013 6:03:00 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

Date: 5/15/2013 2:02:00 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
Date: 5/15/2013 6:10:00 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