my books surround me
                                      with voices other than my own.
                                      I can choose the voices I want to hear.
                                      interrupt any time as is my wont.
                                      decide when I am bored reading them,
                                      and leave without as much as a good bye.
                                      not see any one of them for days, weeks, years
                                      or end the relationship forever.
                                      eat in front of them with impunity
                                      my books don’t get jealous
                                      if I read one of them more than another
                                      and have no fear of rejection.
                                      I am told some people buy books
                                      not to read but to impress guests
                                      when they see them on their table.
                                      I select books for my ensemble  
                                      to scare unwanted guests to leave.
                                      people usually depart quickly
                                      after seeing carefully selected books on my reading table
                                      such as “ How to Kill and Not be Caught”
                                      and “How to Make Love to a Negro”.
                                      I then return to my friends---
                                      my books.