Pick up Fragile Acts by Allan Peterson. Try to read
Some poetry with beautiful imagery before the semester starts.
You found it in a coffee shop full
Of used books. Your choice was complemented by the cashier.
Join a book club. You choose first. All your coworkers recommend
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. You were completely disappointed.
Next up is White Noise by Don DeLillo. Try to read
In snatches on the shuttle on the way to class.
You think if you read it on your phone, then maybe you’ll at least
Have time. The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin is what Mark suggests.
You barely even start that one before we move on again. Shalimar the Clown
By Salman Rushdie seems wonderful. You keep meaning to finish these.
Graphic novels at least don’t take much time. Some you can finish
In one sitting. A boy you like gives you Saga of the Swamp Thing.
It’s by Alan Moore, and you soak it up, like you soak up time
With this boy. Then The Sandman: Overture by Neil Gaiman.
You end the semester with a pile of books
You’ve started, but haven’t finished. And with the hopes
Of many more books you’d like to read. How can we expect
Students to do this if we can’t do it ourselves?
