Words Fortell

by Dan Johnson



The books I've read line the shelves
in rows of multicolored, many textured lines of word
only I see.

The words form together to beget meaning
that only I with the experiences of my life can understand
and explain fully.

Others may or may not see the words
according to their choice

Through their actions more words are written, more books bound
more shelves lined

Some books are remembered, some not, judged by color of page
Black is frequent.

Individuals come and pick up the brightest colored covers, easiest to reach books
and assume that is a synopsis of the entire selection this library holds

They hardly ever even open the novel
beyond that they never read beyond the first six words

Some come here and pick up the same book 
and do the same thing over and over and think the same thing
again and again.

Sometimes I shove a word in their hands
but they stare blankly at it,
put it back on the shelf and forget its existence

These words are being used less and less now, 
the books nowadays go mostly unobserved

Dust lines the shelf as I walk the aisles
I'm surprized now if anyone comes to this library
anymore.

All these words unopened
		unknown
				unspoken

More and more the words tell of future books empty of bright color
written more and more for no one to read but myself.

I'll read them all hoping to forget them
and what they speak of.
They'll fortell an empty library,
forgotten.





Return to other stuff.