Great save. Just in the nick of time too. I hate to see old books get recycled/trashed. As you say, such a classic slice of time in a bound edge. I've always been fascinated with them too, got a few really old ones. A Botany book by Asa Gray (sp?) and an old wildlife book with hand-drawn inks, with the Passenger Pigeon in it. Sad, but a part of our wacky history, I suppose. That is so cool to find a book of age that is of poetry. Since it is one of your loves, and you are such a great poet yourself. And I enjoyed your take on the passing of time. All dried up leaves in the wind in the end. Such a sad ending to a post. I"ll make up a joke to liven things up...
Did you hear about the writer that found a small book of poems with a pen tucked inside, hidden away behind a water meter in the alley?
The inscription inside said:
"Poems, and I am Bic pen-ta meter"
Now THAT's a sad joke, but the best I could come up with on a Thursday AM after a holiday. Have a great day over yonder.
RE: 'The Diadem' - circa 1850 - an Antique Book Saved from the Scrap Heap