Damn all the good books - Damn all the good books
Damn all the good books
Chapter 1
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Updated Apr 15, 2009
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536 characters
Damn all the good books,
They call out my name,
I reach out to read them all,
Falling flat on my face with shame,
The timeless classics Don Quixote would say,
The newfound glories, Clancy and James Frey,
The poets like Poe
and Dickinson
Ms. Emily I feel your pain
But I haven't the time
To read every non-rhyme
and clear the shelves of Humor,
Mystery, History, Architecture
and all the good books call out
my name "Bend my sheath." "Break my spine." "Get familiar with me."
I haven't the time.
Damn all the good books!
They call out my name,
I reach out to read them all,
Falling flat on my face with shame,
The timeless classics Don Quixote would say,
The newfound glories, Clancy and James Frey,
The poets like Poe
and Dickinson
Ms. Emily I feel your pain
But I haven't the time
To read every non-rhyme
and clear the shelves of Humor,
Mystery, History, Architecture
and all the good books call out
my name "Bend my sheath." "Break my spine." "Get familiar with me."
I haven't the time.
Damn all the good books!
Comments (showing 1-50 of 54) (54 new)
Thank you, Gabe, for voicing my sentiments in eloquent verse!! Wouldn't it be wonderful if life allowed us to just sit and read everything we'd like to??Good job!
This is very very cool. I especially like the 15th line - it's difficult to explain, and this may not be what you intended, but it seemed that in that line, the silent exchange between the reader and the work had a certain sensual, almost sexual, intimate quality. I like how that elevated the books in question to an almost human level, if that makes sense. Great work!
Wow! I completly identified with this poem. I did not really read for fun until I got out of college in the US. Having grown up on the African continent, I feel like I am just playing catch up on the American classics. It is frustrating because I am back in graduate school and deep inside I just want to throw up my hands and pick up a good book. But alas.. when I am done with school work, there is NO time.
Not bad. Revise and smooth would help. Needs meter and you must decide to ryhme or not rhyme, one can't be both. I liked the poem and applaud the point of it.
Red Evans author On Ice
this was cool! I like it. Something i think everyone on this website can relate to, i know i can. So many books, so little time!
I know the feeling .... I love this poem! I was speaking just yesterday on how the reason I am SO picky with what books I read is I only want to read the ones I will LOVE -- for there are SO MANY out there I will LOVE, I haven't time for ones I will just kind of like.
Shut up, Emily ! Enjoy the wit !This poem touched more people with its sense of humor about a real dilemna for readers, than your uppity slam - shut up !
Love,
Chico
I love it! This should be the GR motto. You have found a brilliant way to put all our thoughts and feelings into words. Well done, Gabe!
A good poem.
Lacks rhythm from the third line to the eleventh line.
people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, mind; I'm terrible at writing poetry!
Very clever :) It made me smile, which is a relief in poetry because usually it's so heart-wrenching. Kudos on the books calling out "Break my spine."



































