"Progress"

I am a sundial, and I make a botch
Of what is done far better by a watch.

-Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953)

*The only poem I can quote, without looking it up and without fear of correction!*

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I have a favourite poetry book - it's called:-

Rhyme and Reason
An Anthology
by Raymond O'Malley and Denys Thompson

It contains some poems, which I like to be reminded of - and many that I don't.

It's falling apart - literally...

...well it would be, (it's my old O'Level, English Literature "essential reading") - it's 25 years old and the property, when new, of a mid-teen, WITH A PENCIL.

But, you see it's not just a book, it's a piece of ME, too - an old friend, if you will.

Because, for as many 'notes' and 'observations' you can find - (and there are LOTS) - there are even more bits of personal graffiti - some relevant to the verse - and some just, well, THERE.

Patterns and stars, and even the name of an old boyfriend, (with the same name as my husband, which always makes me smile).

On the cover and just inside, is my maiden name, in neat writing, that I barely recognise these days.

The spine is broken and the taped repairs have bio-degraded already.

I really should get a nice and crisp, new copy - but then again...

...I probably wouldn't read it.