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You Cant Judge a Book By Its Cover

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("Eye of God", 2018, original encaustic)

You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover

You can’t judge a book by its cover
Or then again maybe you can
Covers show us what the authors want us to see
And there is plenty to judge in that
But it may not be what the author wants us to think
Once open though
All bets are off
As the author’s own words
And not just image
Are exposed for us to taste, test and judge
And yet still in our judgment
What are we really seeing?

Speaking from experience
I can say there are many
Who have seen me, my art and poems
And think I’m cool
And then….
After a bit of conversation
Walk away
Thinking, Jeez, what a racist, sexist, fascist pig.

If you need to see the face 
Of all you judge and fear
Just look in the mirror.

(10/10/23)

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Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/10/2023 9:54:00 AM

I know there is more to your poem then just being about a book but speaking of books…It is not until I read a bit, do I see where their bent is. Sometimes the book is then shut…oft brought back to the library, haven’t spent a dime, just a little time. But I do buy books too. The other side, none of us our perfect..whatever that means. The world is quite unforgiving .

James Moore
Date: 10/10/2023 10:14:00 AM

Yes, "the world is quite unforgiving", which makes it a unique and wonderful thing when we can do it! I know what you mean about books.... sometimes even ones I'm interested in, just don't hold my attention - thus my nightstand having a couple of dozen piled on it...