I want to remember you as a book I read

I want only to recall you from that shelf in my mind

where I place my favourite books

When I see you, I want to think of you as someone who looks a little like…

 

It would not matter then how many other readers you have

that same description of you will conjure their version

of your eyes and your smile, not mine

I would not be jealous of their spending hours with you

my hope would be they feel for you as I once did

that you would pleasure them as you had me

 

If you were a book, I could remember without hurt

all the cruel words, how I had hated to leave you

how I would look forward to being with you again, and

I could imagine you would be there, waiting

 

If you were a book, then I could hope to rediscover you someday

in the corner of a village book shop

your hardcover softened with time and many hands

though still firm and dignified with age

How marvellous it would be to turn back the pages of misunderstandings

and read them with the wisdom of future chapters