Taking A Book Off The Shelf
The mystery or the irony
or whatever you wish to call it
may be this —
the writer you read
whom you consider great
may be a true son of a bitch
in real life, this life we live in,
he or she may have solid wisdom
in the pages, though is impossible
to live with, or to live, period —
but what must not be forgotten:
this great work that has for whatever
reasons made you feel great
is enduring
and you may be, too
___________________
Bob Arnold
from Beautiful Days
(Longhouse 2013)
photo © susan arnold
