Burdensome book,

made entirely of wood –

cover, binding, pages;

two inches thick,

maybe three.

A tome-ic weight

upon the lap,

the knees –

biting,

pressing,

depress-

ing.

Pages click

as readers flip

the rigid leaves,

select the word

that suits,

describes where,

in life, they find

themselves –

physically,

spiritually,

emotionally –

& slide aside

small wooden tabs

to reveal

the associated page &

turn as indicated.

Click,

slide,

flip;

click,

slide,

flip.

Fall behind taking time

to consider,

to deliberate;

volume of wood

spread wide

across the knees…

Search row and line

for the word

that properly describes

the core of prevailing

sentiment…

To no avail.

Of the many words carved

in those manifold

wooden pages,

neither “grief”,

nor “sorrow”,

nor “melancholy”

are found.

Observe –

the others all

depart,

move on,

while one

remains,

left

behind,

a-

lone.

 

 

— C.Birde, 3/20