Unread

 As she set her keys on the desk her eyes fell on the cover of the book. She had given it as a gift many months before. It was her favorite story and she loved sharing it with others. She picked up the paperback and held it in her hands. As she went to turn to her favorite part she realized the spine had not been creased, the pages never turned. She stared at the book in her hands and felt the tears start to well in her eyes. One escaped and dropped onto the cover.

The emotions swept over her as she realized in a way she was like that book. Her pages had never been read, her story never understood. There wasn't a favorite part with a bookmarked ear to quickly turn back to. No one would take in the words to be soaked in over and over. She felt the crack in her chest as her heart began to break.

It was such a short, beautiful story. So many parts to read and smile over. Parts that broke your heart as you read the lines. The pictures stopped your gaze and made you think. Really, really think deeply about life, love, friendship, innocence, selfishness. It was a tale for everyone who took the time. For everyone who could breathe it in and appreciate. 

"How could anyone be too busy to open this?" She wondered aloud in bewilderment. This gift given out of pure love, hope, kindness. It was tossed on the desk collecting dust.

She was this book. She was this book and it gripped her heart. No one had taken the time to read her pages, inhale her story, listen to words. To really understand the theme, the characters, the plot. They would never understand her heart, her mind, her soul without turning the pages. 

To stories unread and pages never turned.