I opened a book, the weight I carried began to go.
I opened a book, a softer world began to appear.
I opened a book, fiction believed better.
I opened a book, I could close it anytime.
I turn a page, someone else’s pain made mine feel less alone.
I turn a page, find a line
that stayed longer than most people do.
I turn a page, forget the clock exists.
I turn a page, the world forgets I exist too.
I read between the lines, truth
hides in what’s left unsaid.
I read between the lines, thinking of things I’ve never told anyone.
I read between the lines, silence
has always known how to speak.
I read between the lines, wonder
if that’s where I’ve been living all along.
I go back to the page before, afraid I’m forgetting.
I go back to the page before, memory is fragile.
I go back to the page before, things hadn’t changed yet.
I go back to the page before, ask the questions I never could.
I skip a page, the pain
sounds too familiar.
I skip a page, not out of apathy,
but because I’m already full of it.
I skip a page, pretending I didn’t.
I skip a page, and wonder what I missed.
I closed the book, I wasn’t ready to know the end.
I closed the book, I wanted to hold on to the feeling.
I closed the book, someone called my name.
I closed the book, and the world was waiting.
I finished the book, leaving a home I never knew I had.
I finished the book, and it gave me better questions.
I finished the book, and it started something in me.
I finished the book, but my questions still left unanswered.