Why I read – Shorelines

My best friend loves to watch TV

He’s always making fun of me

Because on rainy afternoons

While he is staring at cartoons

I’m far away – but right next door

Searching through my treasure store

I have no gold but if you look

You’ll see I have a precious book.

It’s full of tales from long ago

Once read aloud by fire glow.

I sit and savour every word

I look up those I’ve never heard

I see the heroes and the thieves

The monsters and the talking trees.

The images run through my head

So even when I go to bed

Witches, giants and dragons leap

From every page into my sleep.

My friend says ‘Oh, just boring words’

And ‘Reading is a job for nerds.

Why don’t you watch this show with me?

How can a book compare with TV?’

You’ll know this if you’ve ever read

The pictures are better in your head!

2015

Photo description: Gold-edged pages catch the sun as a hard-back book is lifted from a wooden bookcase.