How Do You Treat Your Books

Are your books a treasured possession, That you treat with great respect? Always use a bookmark, Keep them quite perfect. Or are you the reader Who turns the corner down? Who's books are worn and comfortable, Dog eared and beat around. Do you scribble in the margins? Or crack open the spine? Leave a book splayed open, Or do you consider this a crime? Are books to you so sacred That they always look pristine, Once you've finished reading They still look new and clean. I always use a bookmark, Of this I must confess. My Granny would be horrified If I did anything less. But as for keeping them unblemished, This I can't declare, Some of them are well travelled And showing signs of wear. They have been on beaches, Stuffed inside suitcase's, Got sand and water damage And even suncream traces. Some have been pre-loved before, Been handed down to me And whether they were treated well, This I couldn't guarantee. I know that books are precious, I try not to destroy. I want to share them with you, Let everyone enjoy. 3rd March 2017