This time it’s personal.

 

Books are a beautiful adornment,

To brighten any living room,

Hinting at breeding, adding some charm,

By showing off one’s Austens in full bloom.

 

Books do make ideal coasters,

On which to rest one’s mugs of tea,

Gifts for birthdays, and for Christmas,

But please don’t give one to me!

I am The Reluctant Reader,

A retired English teacher.

Avoiding books is my speciality.

 

I soon left Catherine’s windy moors,

Just as Heathcliff arrived.

I wonder, did their love survive?

I wearied of Austen’s witty charm,

Unmoved by Lizzie Bennett’s fine eyes.

 The denouement, though, came as no surprise.

 

Teaching has spoiled English Literature,

A dish of your culture, served up, spoon fed,

Classic compositions of wit and word play,

Painstakingly written, but grudgingly read.

After the first ten minutes, a student would say,

“Sir, can we watch the film instead?”