In times of yore, in shadows cast, Where whispers of the ancients last, A book there lay in silence, cold, Its secrets hidden, tales untold.

What contents have thee, secrets old? Pirate’s gold from seas so bold? Art thou in truth a treasure rare, Of heroes brave and deeds most fair?

So alien is thy storied lore, Of fearsome tales from days of yore. Like summer’s wind through valleys wide, Thou tell’st of lands where shadows bide.

From moonlit arcs to sunset gray, And beyond where twilight fades away, Of waters deep and forests dark, Where adventurers leave their mark.

In battles fierce, in fiery wrath, Through paths untrodden, dangers hath, In every line, a tale doth weave, Of those who dared and those who grieve.

Pages whisper, soft and low, Of legends wrought in ancient glow. A world within, awaiting thee, Where heroes rise and spirits free.

In every turn, a story new, A voyage grand, a quest pursued. A world of wonder, vast and wide, In which the heart and soul confide.

Shall thou not tell what lies within? Must I the quest for truth begin? In curiosity’s embrace, Shall I be drawn to seek thy grace?

In depths unknown, thy secrets lie, Beneath the vast and endless sky. With every page, a world revealed, Of battles fought and wounds unhealed.

Of lands afar and treasures rare, Of heroes bold and maidens fair, In every tale, a dream pursued, In every line, a heart renewed.

So let the journey now commence, Through tales of old and recompense. In every heart, a flame doth burn, In every soul, a lesson learned.

For in thy depths, the truth shall gleam, Of lands beyond the wildest dream. In every word, a world doth lie, In every verse, the endless sky.

In twilight’s fade and morning’s rise, In shadows deep and azure skies, The book shall guide, the tales shall tell, Of heroes’ quests and battles fell.

In every heart, a story old, In every soul, a truth retold. In twilight’s embrace, the secrets lie, In whispers soft, beneath the sky.

Copyright 2024 Danilo Stern-Sapad

About: Inspired by a poem I wrote in 2004 called “Ode on a Book”

Original Poem:

Ode on a Book

What contents have thee? Pirate’s gold from beneath the sea? Are you in yourself a treasure untold? A prize of fabled heroes bold? Or of the misty dreams of old? A thing of shadowed memories? Or perhaps you will not tell? Must I dwell in my curiosity? So alien is your litany of glories, You must keep some fearsome stories!

Like the summer wind, You tell of far away lands, From under the moon’s silvery arc, And beyond the sunset gathering gray, Of waters dire and forests dark, Of adventurers who will never tire, In their battles of rage and fire! Will you not tell me that which I implore? Must I be forced to open thee? Yes, I will entice my curiosity.

Copyright 2004 Danilo Stern-Sapad