Ode to the Reader Molly Banyard To you, the person who is reading. Please do not judge these series of mumbles, and with this wish I am truly pleading. My goal is not to be modest but morethankful that you have taken the time to read my hand-written words on this paper. Your elaborate mind will infer in-depth hidden meanings between my silly words. When in reality I was never that smart, unlike you. Who amazes me still. To you, the one with the elaborate mind. who has unzipped my nouns and adjectives to find little stories inside of them. Who has complicated my original intentions and turned them upside down. When, really they are all intended to admire you and your crazy mind. Because it is filled with secrets and walls I must discover and quickly break down. You are a ticking time bomb soon to be out
of
my
reach. If I continue to write will you keep on reading? When this page ends will you go back to the beginning? Will you miss the way my words fill your mind as I will miss the way you read them out loud? As the last words come closer, the page turns slower‌ Your attention I now contain will soon be l o s t, lost in another’s words much better than my I real ise I am not worthy of your constant observa-
own.
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