It was so startling
To turn the page
And have you there with me
In the margin, handwriting.
Your intermost thoughts
Scrawled in open space.
Not meant for me-
Am I an intruder?
Somehow, so intimate
You and I alone
on this page.
I know your thoughts.
CB Harner
My Library dwindles
From loaned books
-Unreturned
Were they so loved
Borrower could not bear
The rebound loss?
Or left neglected,
Set asided for better day
Or winter fire.
Perhaps mislaid,
Mistaken, misunderstood
Misused and destroyed?
Or loaned again
To friend of friend-
A worthy goal indeed.
Of all the books
Left unreturned-
I have one of yours.
CB Harner
Cardinal, Junco, Sparrow
Do they look alike to you?
So similar- all feathered
All winged, they fly-
Sharp beak,
Clawed grip
Seed loving,
Hawk fearing
And yet unlike
In color and size
A vast difference
To their own kind
Are we not the same?
Unlike, Alike
As human kind.
CB Harner