i wanted a book
or two
or three
i wanted to see the little black print
to smell the smell that pours from the pages
whenever i open them
the smell that changes with use
that soaks up my smells
like the perfume i wear sometimes
or my soap
or peanut butter
i wanted to see the slightly yellowed pages
the pages that stain or flatten crumbs every time i close them
i want to settle dow against a pillow
and just read
page after pager
100
200
500
700
the more, the better
every page packed with something new
something thrilling
or touching
something to make me stay awake for 72 hours straight
i got a barbie instead.