Lives On Paper (Poetry)

Life starts with words on paper —
a name — a place — a time
evolves — unravels — natural —
a secret love or crime —
a mystery — old stories
retold — a novel twist
quick conjured warm and human
from fantasy’s grey mist.

They live their lives on paper —
breathe across each page —
take the lines they’re given
their world a fragile stage —
every word and gesture
witnessed by the crowd
who read and share emotions
rarely voiced out loud.

All their lives on paper —
yet real enough for now
the while the reader knows them
connects with them somehow —
virtual friends and lovers —
the care the writer took —
small worlds between the covers
of every living book.