
I think I might be a bit shallow
Because I love to judge a book
By just how beautiful
The cover has been made.
Hardback, with pretty little end papers
That give the most subtle of clues.
Where will the story go?
And will my main character
Kiss the girl at the end?
The most beautiful of books
All stand on show
Like a catwalk of models
While their uglier sisters
Hide just behind them,
Make up brushes in hand
And jealousy burning
Through their sepia pages.
Yes, you can call it quite shallow
But I cherish these beauties
Regardless of content.
Does anyone else really love a pretty book cover? As an avid reader the stories that I love, they colour my world, but the covers that colour my shelves are almost as important.
I have read some books that I’ve hated but I have kept hold of the physical copy purely because the cover is beautiful. And I live in a tiny little flat so I have to be very selective about what I keep and what gets shipped off to the charity shop.
I have a particular thing about end papers. I think that they can be the most beautiful thing about a book and I would love to design them for publishers. It’s one of those weird jobs that you can’t tell people you would like to do because they would look at you like you’re a bit odd.
I’m sure that loads of you have something in your life that makes you feel a bit shallow. Perhaps it’s not being able to leave the house without make up. But if you love the art of putting it on and get genuine pleasure from experimenting with it, then is it really shallow? I don’t think so at all.
In these times we should be hanging onto anything that brings us joy and things that are pleasing to the eye are an important part of that. Take pleasure in these little things and don’t feel ashamed and I’m telling you this as I rearrange my bookshelf into rainbow order.
Much Love
Rachel xx
Benie Langat
Beautiful poem!
patientandkindlove
thank you!
Benie Langat
You’re welcome😊
grumpygorman
Great sincere piece.. Shared it here..
https://grumpysgiftspoetry.org/2020/05/14/i-think-i-might-be-a-bit-shallow-rachel-patient-and-kind/
Let me know if you have any objections 🙂
patientandkindlove
Thank you so much x
cyncoed
Lovely !
patientandkindlove
thank you!
nickreeves
sometimes,
posting my stuff on WP
makes me feel shallow.
but then sometimes
i think, what the hell –
it’s worth it!
thank you for a great post.
xo
d.a.simpsonwriter
I think many feel that about their posts but it’s always good to post anyway, for the exercise and because it gives a sense of achievement and it impacts others too. Keep up the good work
nickreeves
And you, too! Thank you. xo
d.a.simpsonwriter
You’re welcome
patientandkindlove
love it x
d.a.simpsonwriter
Very well evoked. I think it’s true about other things too. On a trivial note, the posher the crisp packet the better the contents apparently. It probably applies to many things.
patientandkindlove
So true, Kettle Chips are the best potato based snack food on the market!!!
crispina kemp
With me, it’s the feel. I have been known to buy a book I wouldn’t normally look at cos when I picked it up… wow, the feel of it
patientandkindlove
That’s why I like hard backs so much!
crispina kemp
Oh indeed. Even though mostly I read ebooks (convenience)
judeitakali
I love the honesty. Yes I love the vivid covers and tiny twists of art at the corner of a page. It oddly refreshes me
patientandkindlove
Quirky page numbers too!