open books

an open book
is to be read with all you've got
and all it holds.
you don't get to skip the sad parts
just because you don't trust your tears not to fall.
as you don't get to close your eyes
just because you can't stand the blood or despair.
it will hook you and haunt you.
you'll get the good, the bad and the ugly
because a good book will give it all
and won't be apologetic about it.
it will twist you,
torment you,
slap you then make you laugh,
it will crawl under your skin,
steal pieces of you,
betray your expectations or curse you
but it will love you like no other.

the ones that don't grasp this
are the poorest souls I know.