The Bookhog's Lament

     by Marc Pollitt

Bookcases, scattered all throughout my home,
Are not enough to hold packratted books.
Stray volumes--boxed or piled high in stacks--
Congest the floors and litter every room.
Greek tragedies and Shakespeare, Moby Dick,
Trash fantasy and sci-fi, Louis L'Amour,
Philosophy, old textbooks, baseball, war,
How-to, self-help, escapist (take your pick).

I've got them all; if not, I'll get them soon.
There's some I've read, and some I never will,
Some bought as gifts, some only for display.
I never tire of book shops--too much fun--
And though my shelves and floors are overfull,
I picked up forty volumes just today.

 

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