Books

I moved a bunch of books last night;
I shuffled shelves – though not quite right,
It’s closer than it was before –
Some binders still are on the floor.

That meant some trips upon the stairs,
And muscle-groups discovered there;
But still I made out rather well,
Much better than that lady’s hell –

It seems she bought the myth around,
That digital is better ground
To base one’s access to one’s books;
She didn’t take a closer look –

For “platform wars” are on today,
To see which giant’s here to stay;
She tried to download other fare –
They seized them all – and left her air.

For you don’t “buy” e-books the way
You buy in print – you rent,
Or pay a license fee – restricted use;
You cross those boys – they’ll cut you loose.

But even print has problem-days;
These book-collections public says
Are for the public’s use for free,
They cull those books – you have to read –

Them while their ’round, for when they’re gone,
You’re out of luck – just good so long
As you match up with current fare,
For after that they’re just not there.

I still recall three books one day,
I saw at Christmas holiday;
I went to find my wife to show
Her what I'd found – but don’t you know –

When we returned they had been sold;
I never found those titles though
I’ve looked all over – such a cost –
“Snatch up right now, or it is lost”.

The content on the Internet
Is fine, by it most needs are met
But more like “access-twelve” these days,
One gets for value what one pays.

So when I listed all the books,
Which mark for me big steps I took,
They come to thirty-two – surprised
I was to see so few because –

I’ve read so much (and written too),
But there it was – just thirty-two;
Though others now have come to mind,
These are my treasured books I find.

What of the books I also wrote –
What value they? Like words I spoke,
They do their part like farmers grain –
Folks draw from it, move on again.

In all these things here’s what I see:
We’re not alone like prairie tree;
We’re in a forest – others do
Their lives – effects spill out on you.

So, do your best and weigh the odds;
We’re mortals here, quite far from gods;
We’ve gained so much from written word –
Truth lingers after truth is heard.

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