The world between the covers of books

As a child I could never have dreamt that there were such goings-on in the world between the covers of books, such sandstorms and ice blasts of words ... such staggering peace, such heartache, such enormous laughter, such and so many blinding bright lights, splashing all over the pages in a million bits and pieces, all of which were words, words, words, and each of which were alive forever in its own delight and glory and oddity and light. But once discovered (at the age of about 7), all those feelings have become a part of my life. For days after reading a poignant book, I would live in a daze of White Fang and his tribulations, or the story of Muzhik, nicknamed Strider, a Piebald born in the night; and by the morning, having been licked over by my mother, already stood on his feet. There is no more thoroughbred horse in the world than Muzhik.

Every time I enter a book store, this poem comes to mind :

I keep collecting books I know I'll never, never read; 

My husband and daughter tell me so, 

And yet I never heed. 

"Please make me," says some wistful tome, 

"A wee bit of yourself." 

And so I take my treasure home, 

And tuck it in a shelf.

And now my very shelves complain; 

They jam and over-spill. 

They say: "Why don't you ease our strain?" 

"some day," I say, "I will." 

So book by book they plead and sigh; 

I pick and dip and scan; 

Then put them back, 

distrest that I am such a busy woman. 

I have many unread books on my shelves - some bought for their topic, some bought for their beautiful cover and some bought because they were highly recommended. Amongst the topics, my much-read  favourites are those about succulents, trees and grasses of Southern Africa, butterfly identification, water gardening and snakes and reptiles. And, of course, my much-used Ian Sinclaire's Field Guide to The Birds of Southern Africa.

Untouched on my shelves is a yoga instruction book, wealth management, how to be yourself, Pride and Prejudice, Rich Man, Poor Man and a few other "should have" topics, and one day I will get around to them!