A Book is a "Part of Your Living Self"

I read the most delicious poem today.  It was posted in a homeschool forum, and I wanted so much to share it with you. Technically, Edgar Guest was born in England... but I do think most people consider him an American poet.

 

A Book

by Edgar Guest

“Now” - said a good book unto me -
“Open my pages and you shall see
Jewels of wisdom and treasures fine,
Gold and silver in every line,
And you may claim them if you but will
Open my pages and take your fill.

“Open my pages and run them o’er,
Take what you choose of my golden store.
Be you greedy, I shall not care -
All that you seize I shall gladly spare;
There is never a lock on my treasure doors,
Come - here are my jewels, make them yours!

“I am just a book on your mantel shelf,
But I can be part of your living self;
If only you’ll travel my pages through,
Then I will travel the world with you.
As two wines blended make better wine,
Blend your mind with these truths of mine.

“I’ll make you fitter to talk with men,
I’ll touch with silver the lines you pen,
I’ll lead you nearer the truth you seek,
I’ll strengthen you when your faith grows weak -
This place on your shelf is a prison cell,
Let me come into your mind to dwell!”

 
I love that last couplet.  Don't leave books on the shelf!  I devour them... I eat them and the words on the page attach to the nodules like calories on my hips.  The books become a part of me, and they influence my thinking.  Even when I disagree, I find myself affected, understanding the opposite view at a deeper level, even if I reject it as false.
 
I have a friend, a clever preacher who frequently says, "Let's not confuse "buying" books with "reading" books."  It makes me wince every time, because I collect books like one of those episodes of Hoarders.  There's never too many books!