a work of fiction left to the shelves,
i would read us every day.
i would memorize the chapters,
i would cherish every page.
if we were truly just a story,
i could never set us down.
i would respect our safety,
just like other proper nouns.
if we were truly just a story,
i could even make believe,
that you and i,
we are alive,
and this, reality.