Reliable Loves

I read all kinds of books – books of poetry, novels, essays, philosophical books, biographies – and they are never jealous of one another - they do not force anything upon me; I can use them when I need to and ignore them otherwise. They are my easy lovers; I can immerse myself in Yeats poems all night long and not owe them a thing in the morning (a bookworm’s version of a one night stand). Some of the relationships become more involved – Emerson and I are constant companions; he comforts me after a frustrating fight with a human or a long day of work. I curl up into bed and enjoy the word play of brilliant poets or lose my mind over the complications of Shakespearean plots. I am selfish. I drop, bend, write in, rip, and constantly drench these lovers in coffee – why do they stand by me? Books are loyal. They are selfless. They give you all they can with no restrictions, offering hours of consolation and ecstasy, expecting nothing in return.

by Jess