THE BOOK

The book came alive, wept ,
Dragged him in,
Pointing out its sorrow -

The book let him sleep on its pages,
Caressed his hair,
Mothered him:

The Book opened out its wings,
Let him Fly,
Let him weep out his sorrow,
Its sorrow,
The Book
Was All-Consuming:

When he emerged at last, ruffle-haired,
The Book disowned him -
And they were divorced:
But the Book's knowledge stayed with him,
Still does:
The Book was Proud,
And so was He,
And They Never Talked About It Again.

8/5/00