it will change your life

someone gives you
a book. it's a thick
book. a self help book.
a well read
and tattered book,
they obviously
read and reread this
book over
and over.
they've signed
their name inside
and dated it.
it's dog eared
and underlined
with yellow high
lighter.
here, they say, take
this book and read
it. you'll absolutely
love it, keep it,
i have a new copy,
it will change your life,
but it doesn't.
it's new age pablum.
you can't get through
the first ten
pages without
tossing it across
the room
where it lands
in front of the door
that keeps
swinging closed
because the hinge is
loose. the book
has found a home.