An Ode to 'People Reading'
I remember the first poem I ever wrote about you
how at first I had no intention to share it with you
I'd never written anyone a poem --
at least not that I'd shared with them
I actually wasn't totally familiar with writing love poetry
I wrote about what inspired me,
sadness, loneliness, pain, fear.
Then I found that you inspired me
I compared you to a book
one I was dying to read
destined to be my favorite book
I remember the first poem I ever wrote to you
a letter in verse
I remember writing it
trying to find a way to convey my sincerity
When I wrote that one, I knew I had to share the first
as well
I remember sharing those two poems with you
how nervous I was
You liked them, or some part of them
enough that you asked to borrow them
I said "of course," wondered to myself
what you intended to do with them.
I've written nearly a hundred since those first two
the novelty's worn off, it seems
I write them anyway
I write them with the same
wonder and sincerity as the first
I share them with the same
nervousness
I write them still
because I love you with such a ferocity it hurts
I share them still
because I want you to know this
If ever do we part
I want you to know you've been loved
Unconditionally, without reservation
with everything I have
I pray you never settle for anything less
than the love you deserve.
You are still, will always be
my favorite book
No matter how many times I read you,
when you're old and worn out and falling apart
I'll turn the pages delicately and with reverence
I will still read you.