The one book on the shelf that is much older than the rest-- yes, that one--how yellowed are its pages now? Crisp, clean books fresh from the presses sometimes already have that yellow coloring, but there's no substitute to time and how it crinkles paper. The dusty scent that spreads through your nostrils and makes you cough as you flip through the pages-- yes, that smell-- can only ripen with age, old age.
I hope you enjoyed this short little poem! It was inspired by my bookshelf in my room, which has mostly new books on it, but a copy of The Catcher in the Rye from my mom’s high school days that is bent out of shape and very, very yellowed. Please feel free to leave feedback and writing challenges in the comments. Stay safe and healthy out there.
Brooke
adventures of a typical high school student 