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CastleGuard
Senior Member
since 2003-04-30
Posts 760
Alberta, Canada

0 posted 2015-11-04 11:28 AM




I opened a book today
an old, hardcover edition
ornate, heavy bindings
engraved illustrations
must have read this book
a hundred times or more
still reach for it now
and read passages
there is certain magic
to its existence
a spell that draws you within

I hold it
gazing at it in introspection
slowly it starts morphing
changing its appearance
I feel its hard covers and its pages
disintegrating
I try to grasp it
to no avail
like sand in the hourglass
it is sifting through my fingers
turning into
ones and zeros...

time has run out

the magic is gone


CG

© Copyright 2015 CastleGuard - All Rights Reserved
Ticklefingers
Senior Member
Posts 710
Louisiana
1 posted 2015-11-04 12:32 PM


Good write CG.

Some people have had this type of experience with the Bible. There are myriad sites now where one can access any translation they wish. 'Coffee table' editions barely get their bindings loosed.

88's friend

She told me "play one for your supper Danny and maybe you'll get breakfast".

CastleGuard
Senior Member
since 2003-04-30
Posts 760
Alberta, Canada
2 posted 2015-11-04 07:00 PM


Thanks, TF.
Yes, you are right; you can now get the Bible as well as almost any Classic Literature and /or poetry in an electronic format. Despite my write, I do have many of those in e-format. However, no matter what font/setting/etc.  an e-reader still cannot replace a good book (to me personally, at least).
I have brought a dozen or so of such old books with me from the "Old World" -- these cannot be found now, nor can they be replaced (though most of same have been scanned/converted to an electronic format).
Still, the experience cannot compare to curling up with a 'hard' book; reading, and handling the pages the old-fashioned way...
Of course, cannot beat the e-reader for travel.....LOL

CG

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
3 posted 2015-11-04 10:16 PM


AMEN ! (as to the value of traditional books!)
Ticklefingers
Senior Member
Posts 710
Louisiana
4 posted 2015-11-05 09:18 PM


quote:
"the experience cannot compare to curling up with a 'hard' book; reading, and handling the pages the old-fashioned way...
Of course, cannot beat the e-reader for travel".
I agree wholeheartedly CG!

It's great to know there are folks like you around that still enjoy a good book you can hold in your hands (and that doesn't require batteries )

I don't read many novels myself (though my wife can crank through 1-2 a week), I usually get my dose of fiction watching movies. My own bookshelves are filled with hard and soft cover books of all kinds. We both like to go to book sales and try to score some of the oldest volumes we can find.

It's like going on a treasure hunt!


88's friend

She told me "play one for your supper Danny and maybe you'll get breakfast".

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
5 posted 2015-11-07 09:32 PM


Castle Guard, I read this on the 4th and replied.But that is nowhere to be seem. I was so happy to read your views as I also need to hold the book in my a hands and turn the pages. Exciting to see the words printed there in a different mix of phrase. I have a large collection of old books.I once went to the town dump in an old fashioned town in Conn. I saw a pile of books just thrown out into a heap.I asked the man in charge if I could take them. He said yes as he also was surprised to see them there. They must have been recently dumped that day as they were clean and dry. I love History and a few were that. One printed in l840, the history of Conn, including the Town I was in at the time. Thank you for your post. I enjoyed it very much.Jo Perry
Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
6 posted 2015-11-08 11:25 AM


I enjoyed your musings around the magic of books, that can be touched and which absorb no doubt also our emotions ...

I prefer to hold the book in my hands also, though I try not to be attached to the books I have read, as I think others might also enjoy them. Book-sharing is a good way to make room for new books too. I bought some e-books too, but not using a kindle causes me get tired quickly sitting at the pc.

Well written and thought provoking no doubt.

Margherita

jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
7 posted 2015-11-08 06:14 PM


I'm a voracious reader and never thought I'd switch to eBooks - but, while I still read "real books" at times, eBooks never tear, wear out, get torn pages or coffee spills, or left somewhere 9for the most part... so, at least reading them on my phone - they have become quite a plus. ---

Good read, my friend.

j.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
8 posted 2015-11-08 06:26 PM


I HATE to read books online. No! Hell no!

~*~ When they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
9 posted 2015-11-09 08:57 PM


When traveling, as I am doing a bit more of lately, and thank you Lord, for allowing this, I enjoy my Kindle. And I downloaded the Bible on my Kindle so I would have it handy when working with Hospice. There are ins and outs of e-readers. If your hands can handle the books like I enjoy, at least 400 plus in pages, good. Never liked a short story. But this is why I enjoy my Kindle. One weight, with hundreds of books downloaded.

But my rooms? You should see my rooms...

and I dust them often, knowing that there will be one day when we don't have electricity, or batteries, or anything again but fire.

Signed, Planning Ahead

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
10 posted 2015-11-09 08:58 PM


And CastleGuard, good poem!
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
11 posted 2016-02-25 06:01 AM


Very thought provoking...as a giid poem should be, CastleGuard.
                               Ida

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
12 posted 2016-02-29 07:41 PM


nice writing...james
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