I learned Life in Books.
I learned Love.
I learned Hope.
I learned millions of souls are dreaming millions of dreams as grand as mine. As wonderful. As essential.
I learned loneliness can be conquered by Words. By Books.
I’ve known the pain of Silence.
Mastering thousands of words but not a single right one.
A silent heartbreaking scream.
I’ve known Magic. Spellbound by letters in a mysterious order, mysterious words becoming deliciously clear second by second.
New words.
More words.
Incredible words.
Suddenly the right words.
The right language.
Hope.
I learned Myself in books.
I learned Others in books.
I learned Pleasure.
I learned Wonder.
I learned Joy.
I traveled with novels, cried with poetry, found consolation in the wisdom of those who learned life before me.
I believed their words.
I believed their dreams.
I believed.
I read.
I forgot pain.
I forgot heartbreak.
I forgot violence.
I read. I will be reading. I will be learning.
Feeling. Hoping. Believing.
In better worlds. In better people.
In magical words for our broken dreams, our betrayed promises, our screaming solitudes.