What is more lonely
than a book on a shelf?

Whether read years ago and not opened since,
or purchased and forgotten,

the pages contain worlds.
But those worlds are hidden—

unrealized.

Days turn to weeks turn to years
as the enormity contained in just one shelf
remains untapped.

Only this building pressure can explain
the power that is released as—
finally—
the book is lifted

and turned to that first page.