Reading

I see the people reading at the library The old woman Fanning a book as she sits and sews Nobody knows How she guides her needle through her shawl Or how she reads. The little toddler Sucking on his board book He bangs it on the floor His mom says “no more” They leave He’s reading in his own way Too. The tired mother Reclining at the coffee table Focused halfheartedly on her work She sips her coffee Somehow I know she’s reading Too. But I don’t know what. Somehow I’m reading Too. But I don’t know what. Somehow the world’s reading Too. But I don’t know what. The librarian Checking in books, checking out books She’s reading the people’s Faces. I’ll let her read My face Too. The homeless man Sitting on the sidewalk outside Shivering. He has no book, but he’s reading Too. What? How? I don’t know. He sings a song. I don’t know it either. The police arrest him – For loitering I guess. An innocent man Arrested For reading. Like you. You are reading Me. I give a part of myself To you In reading And you give me A part of yourself Reading Too.