Someone said,
“Books are a hard-bound drug
with no danger of over-dose.”
Lies.
I am an addict.
I have clutched my paper-bound
or hard-bound drug until
my hands are frozen claws,
I have lost hours of my life
in the blink of an eye,
I opened the cover for
just a few pages before bed,
and blinked up at the dawn light
as the birds mocked outside my window.
I turn pages until my eyes
can not focus,
my lids rasp close,
my arms tremble,
my fingers numb,
my neck kinked,
but still I read on, until
my eyes
close.
I stagger in a stupor
to my bed.
When I am lost to consciousness,
my dreams are vivid,
I wake with an aching head,
the morning after.
I am a book addict.
I know over-dosing
is a danger,
but
the paper smells so good,
the rustle of the pages
is music,
the story is magic,
and I am helpless in
its thrall.
That’s all.
My name is Shawn,
and I am addicted to books.
Shawn L. Bird 
Wow. Loved this poem!
I’m glad! Thanks for dropping in.
Reblogged this on and commented:
An amazing poem describing a book lover perfectly!
The best addiction!
Some days it’s better than others. When I’m working the next morning, it’s not so good! lol
me too! 🙂
Do we need a support group (or just a book club?) 😉
Just a good library and a chair to curl up in…
Love this. I’m going to copy and paste it and send it to my wife who shares a similar affliction.
I hope she enjoys it! (Though forwarding the link is better than copying and pasting, so the credit remains!) 😉
I don’t know how to forward a link.
Forward the link: Go up to the URL bar at the top of the page, click to highlight, right click your mouse, choose COPY, open your own page or email, right click, choose PASTE. The hyperlinked URL will appear. Done.
Fantastic poem Shawn. I confess I’m an addict too, oh what a relief to be able to say so at last. lol. xxx Massive Hugs xxx
Thanks, David. Was it a secret?
Shawn, I love this so much. I have so many books that they’re piled around the bookshelf because it cannot hold anymore. Thank you for sharing this.
lol. Glad you enjoyed it.
I love this! Your enjambment is great, and I completely relate to your premise. (I’m an addict too.) C;
So funny, know exactly what you mean (I’m a hopeless bookaholic myself)!
It’s either funny, or embarrassing! 😉 Thanks for the company in addiction!
I really enjoyed this, Shawn. I particularly liked the language in these lines: “I opened the cover for / just a few pages before bed, / and blinked up at the dawn light / as the birds mocked outside my window.” I’m not very sure why that little quatrain caught me like it did. Maybe it’s because the best way to experience the morning is by realizing you’ve stumbled into it by accidentally staying awake all night.
Thanks for sharing the poem! May we all develop such healthy addictions to go with our other not as healthy ones.
-Shane
@NomadShane
Glad you liked it.
No danger of overdose — ha! Books have nearly killed me on more than one occasion but still I cannot stop reading and the thought of living without them is unbearable. I’m addicted, all right, and they will be the death of me yet.
Ideas are dangerous.
What’s really bad is when you go into a book store telling yourself you are only going to buy one book and you come out with three. I love this poem! I am addicted to books too.
I spent a lot of money at Powell’s City of Books when we visited Portland. I was looking for a ‘couple of books on social media’. I came away with 2 cloth bags full: novels, poetry, social media, and pair of Sock It To Me socks, as well. 😉
I need more friends like you. I wrote a book and cannot find anyone to read it, because NONE of them read!!
Oh no! One needs literate friends!
Haha exactly!
Is it OK if I share this one on FaceBook?
You’re welcome to share the link as widely as you like, Sheryl.
Reblogged this on Finding myself and commented:
True definition of a book addict#I love it
Thank you for the compliment of the re-blog!
My pleasure and keep on feeding our minds and soul with your empowering work.
The exact same feeling right here!! So many times I have slept with the book I read.
Book boyfriend! 🙂
And the best you could ever have!! 😀
Fantastic! Story of my life and so gorgeously written. I’m a fan!;)
lol. Thank you for dropping by, fellow addict!
That was awesome! Wish I were more of a reader- your poem helps in that desire! Emailed it to my sister who will relate to every word I am sure. Thanks for the follow- look forward to exploring your blog.
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
During college I amassed a collection of books that would rival the New York Public Library. English Major. When I moved I had to put most into storage but it was like losing my children. Last year a friend bought me a Kindle and since then on rare 3 day weekends and vacations or any free time I develop a severe case of Kindle-itis!!
I was an English major, too, and I’ve spent 20 years as an English teacher. I understand. lol
Take me with you to your next meeting, please! Addicted!
lol
This is great writing, an awesome poem!
Glad you enjoyed it.
Always some good reading.
🙂
What fun this is! As a former teacher myself, I see the faces of a few teenage book addicts trying to hide their habit from me as I enlighten them with ever such important facts! I say thank God for their addiction!
and all those nights with flashlights under the covers (now alleviated by backlit e-readers!) lol
I enjoyed this. This is one addiction I won’t give up.
We’re a determined lot, I think.
Story of my life and ONE of the best poems I have read on wordpress. You’re absolutely amazing 🙂
Oh, aren’t you sweet! Thanks for the great compliment.
Reblogged this on OWUROTIDE! and commented:
True confessions here, y’all. It seems I have a fashionable/popular/blog-able addiction. Still, I want a cure. #TeamBookOverSleep…
How true. Reblogged this @ toladimeji.wordpress.com.
#TeamBookOverSleep
i love this! Sooooooo true!!!
🙂
I too am an avid book reader so I know just what you mean. Several times, like you, I have picked up a book and have completed it in one sitting…
xx
Sooz
That is the way I usually work. Once I start I keep reading. Except for Diana Gabaldon books. When they’re hitting 1500 pages, my eyes close against my will… 😉
Believe me, I understand completely….
Thanks for commenting…
xx
Sooz