I surround myself with books,
To give words to my feelings
My hopes, my dreams
The relationships that I haven’t had yet
And the ones that I have failed during
As a camaraderie, support group
The backstop to my fall, my failures
And even my insecurities.
Surrounded by greatness,
By creativity, and even the vile.
A fluid scale of normalcy
Against which I can predict how others may
Judge me,
I can prepare for anything that may come.
Witches? Ann Hoffman.
Goblins? JK Rowling.
Crazed murderer? Ann Rule.
The Unknown? Ursula K. Le Guin.
Myself? Ali Smith.
Hope and Love? Louise Penny.
The coven of friends in my personal library
Give me the tool that I need at the time,
Even if it is the Emergency Exit.
