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For years I lived in the pages

Of other places, of other ages.

I lived alongside heroes so brave

I helped countless lives be saved.

I lived in the pages of books young and old

And in stories not yet told.

I ran through jungles, swamps, fields of green

I slept in palaces of wonders unseen.

I ate odd meats and dishes so sweet

With strangest strangers that I’d meet.

Life seemed so full and fun

Then one day it all came undone.

Away from the page I turned for a day

What drew me I’d rather not say.

I lived an adventure so real

And got wounds needing time heal.

I ran, I fell, I stumbled, I soared

The wind battered me on its own accord.

No shield or sword  to hold to its face

I felt my heart race.

Acting without reason

All of logic committed treason.

I tasted things so strong.

Pain and happiness lasting quite long

Feeling so happy and so sad

All at once so good and so bad.

It ended and soon I wanted more

Wondering what else could be in store.

I couldn’t go back to what I’d found for a week

So my old companions I did seek.

The old days relived again same as ever before

But this time a constant bore.

Meats had no flavor sweets no sting

Danger had no heat; no zing.

I told the pages I could not feel

What had once been oh so real.

They smiled as they caught aflame

And told me that its world was still the same.

I had changed for I loved the taste

Of the real world’s bitter-sweet baste.

I’d fallen in love with the air though not always clean

I’d fallen in love with sights actually seen.

I’d fallen in love with what my skin could feel

I’d fallen in love with smells so real.

I’d fallen in love with the sounds of trickles, howls, and whines.

I’d fallen in love with a world really mine.

As pages crinkled and sparks rose

The book told me it was time to close.

I said I wasn’t ready to leave its side

It always provided a nice place to hide.

I said it was wrong

I was neither brave nor strong.

As smoke carried it away

The book told me to go out and learn how to play.

I waved goodbye as it floated on

Until all but its words were gone.

So I took a deep breath pulled it in

And let my face break into a grin.

I turned to the world and let out a yell

For now it is my turn to have a story to tell.