In Volumes

In Volumes

I come to my books defenseless, willing to be
altered by them, even if I am hesitant
to be altared. Docile as acolyte
to master, I approach them. No longer seeking
the fast technique, I accept my new

permanent status as a plodder, taking
more time to manage even a slight incline.
Many’s the time I have tacked my sails in the wake
of a novel, or gorged on rich fare laid on the table
of a short story. So now if a bit
more discerning, not in quality but in
content which has the potential to jam a stick

in my spokes, I want my last phase
of sunk-in-chair, caresses-of-page to be
easy; I no longer wish to be
peened and polished. But I am naive for my
age. I am trusting. I am turning.

~ S.K. Orr