Dog-eared


My heart is dog-eared,
a book well read, but
always eager to write
a new chapter.

I remember when
it was brand new,
clean pages, fresh print.

It had been on the shelf
for an eternity of fifteen years,
(Youth can’t tell time)
when love pulled it from the library.

He was just a few pages in,
bookmarking all my tender passages,
when he didn’t like my interpretation.

First love, first rejection,
I didn’t approve his edit.
He wanted a Reader’s Digest
rewrite of my NO.
I preferred to keep all my pages
until someone would appreciate the read.


 ©Susie Clevenger 2017

#NaPoWriMo2017

Comments

Angie said…
i like that you can dog-ear youth, and it will never know because it can't tell time. it's smart in that way (only?)
Sanaa Rizvi said…
Oh this is absolutely profound, Susie!❤️ I like the idea of one's heart being pages of a book. Such a fresh and new perspective. Especially touched by; "It had been on the shelf for an eternity of fifteen years, (Youth can’t tell time) when love pulled it from the library." Sigh, we mustn't compromise when it comes to love. How wise of you to prefer "to keep all my pages until someone would appreciate the read." Beautifully penned. Thank you so much for participating!❤️


Lots of love,
Sanaa
De Jackson said…
I love this, Susie. Hopefully those pages are not only well-read these days, but memorized, and pressed to heart.
Maude Lynn said…
This is so clever, Susie!
Magaly Guerrero said…
Brilliant! Books should not be wasted on readers that don't take the time to read and appreciate every word of their tales.
Anonymous said…
I love this!!
Gillena Cox said…
luv the dog-eared image best

Awesome write

much love...
Rommy said…
Ha! I had boyfriends who wanted that Reader's Digest too. Very clever piece.
Wonderful metaphor. Glad you didn't waste the fascinating tale of you on the unappreciative.
Robin said…
Very nice! I like the way the book wants to feel being read to the ending. That is the way it should be. Hugz, Rasz
Anonymous said…
Those precious moments, bookmarks in our life. Wonderfully expressed.
grapeling said…
wise as a youth, too ~
Outlawyer said…
Terrifically funny, I thought. Really well done, Susie. k.
Jim said…
"I didn’t approve his edit...
I preferred to keep all my pages
until someone would appreciate the read
"
A nice show of independence in writer's talk. Right on, Susie.
..
Anonymous said…
Wonderful use of metaphor Susie. Good to hear the idea of a reader's digest was indigestible ;)
kaykuala said…
Dog-eared! Must have been handled plenty of times! But being left on the shelf is reminiscent that there are lots to be desired of love's waiting arms! Very true Susie!

Hank
Kerry O'Connor said…
Very cleverly done, from opening image to the final words.
Sreeja said…
This is brilliant...oh so well written and cool!