The books in the public library
are so lucky.
People search for them,
touch, read, and love them as their friends.

Unlike the books in my room.
Only I read them
if there is enough time
They take turns with other books.
Then they get dusty,
becoming a spider’s playground.

Sometimes, I buy them out of curiosity,
not necessarily because I love them.
Especially after I’ve finished reading them,
I regret having them.

But the books in the public library will last,
even if no one touches them.
Old books won’t feel competed against by new books;
new books need old books to be born.

I wish I could be a part of them:
searched,
touched,
read,
loved.