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Books & Poetry

Poem: Book

Books & Poetry

In this week’s Poet’s Corner Judy Dally contributes a poem from her new collection ‘Asleep in the Teapot’.

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Book

Whoever said, “The past is a closed book”,
has never felt the seductive texture
of a cover which begs to be opened;
has never been a lover of vivid description
or intricate plot
which begs to be read.

I carry mine with me.
Its prose style is simple.
The print is clear.
But I bleed when I read it.

Nevertheless, I keep peeping in.
At once enthralled and repelled
by the ruthless text:
the cruel truths, the kind lies.

Between the lines of print
are old photographs.
Black and white shots of
youthful foolishness.
Vivid colour prints of people I know
in the arms of strangers.

This book is too precious to destroy
but too heavy to carry.

Whoever said,
“The past is a closed book”
never owned a copy.

Judy Dally has been a teacher, and published two books on the profession. She has also been a long-term board member for the SA Writers’ Centre, committee member and co-editor for the Friendly Street Poetry Group, and also seen 27 consecutive years of personal publication in the annual Friendly Street Reader. Her latest poetry book, “Asleep in the Teapot”, released in both print and e-book, can be found here.

Readers’ original and unpublished poems of up to 40 lines can be emailed, with postal address, to poetscorner@solsticemedia.com.au. A poetry book will be awarded to each contributor.
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