take me off the shelf

I want to circulate!

I hold the world in me
but have not seen it

not even the hallway

my flyleaf has been chewed
by the dog

of time

my heart collects dust
my call number never rings

will you reserve me for the weekend?

thumb through the pages
of my life
some are dog-eared
some are highlighted in yellow

check me out
check me out
check me out

I am here
under your nose
but you look past

sometimes

you reach for me 
but grab instead
the latest edition,
all shiny and hard
covered,
updated and

revised

I am unique!
there are 3 other copies of me
but one is lost

put your hand in my pocket
sign on the line 
with your smile

no! print! print! clearly and legibly!

reserve me

review me

return me
on time

take me out
slide me into your

backpack

take me to Greenlake
we walk hand in hand
but avoid the hotdog stand

dine with me
spill your mind into me
but not your wine

take me to bed
I will open my pages
for your eyes to
probe
devour
consume

when you sleep
your arms hold me tight
let me be your rice dream
but just for tonight

when you sleep
you touch my spine
but i'm due back 
on the shelf by nine