Doors Books Make
for Sonia Lunn

how near at hand
another world

our books are doors
are books not doors
even in prison

what else, where else
can you not get out of
in an instant

with a book to open
with hinges to swing on

I open and close books
the key, ability to read

can read, do read
can't read, can learn

can read, don't read
don't improve ability to

how near at hand
another world

our books are doors
our books our doors
are books not doors

able to open and shut
as if upon hinges

these are the hinges of this town
or of any town, of every town
upon which I live

I invite you to move in
to come and go at will
as you like, as you wish

door to a book, which is a book
open and shut

get in and go instantly
much much further than
you or I could go or could get
on a bus, in a car or on a flight

get in a book, can go
not just to places far away
but far away in time as well

what worlds the double doors
of books open up, open on

I'd have died
of claustrophobia long ago
died for lack of fresh air long ago

were it not for vistas, oxygen
books let in

because books are windows
as well as doors


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2008
7:08 p.m. 19.07.08