When I go to the library I look
At the rows and rows of books
On the shelf, and wonder if it’s better,
When I look at the names and letters
On the spines, if I should choose
One by the color of the jacket it has on,
Or by the sound of the title somebody
Made up to trap me
Into taking it down and opening it
Up and finally walking to a chair to sit
And start reading. Almost it doesn’t matter,
Because once I start, if it’s any good at all,
I’ve got to keep going. It’s better
Than a net to catch me in, it has all
The presence of another world, the beginning
Shuts in behind me and there’s no way to go
But straight ahead and live it through
To the end. Another life! That’s winning
Something very nice,
A clever way of living twice!