when you know it will never work

i came home from work
early
one afternoon and saw a dozen
boxes

all taped and closed. ready
to be carried out
to a truck in front of the house.

i asked my wife, what's up.
what's going on,
what are in these boxes.

she stood there, hands on her
hips and said. i packed up
all your books.

i need the shelf room for nick
knacks
and things.

i have no where to put my

porcelain pig

collection.
your books are taking up
too much space.

and besides you've read
them all.
we should give them away so
that poor people can
have the chance to read
them too.

i told her about this place
called the library and she
she said. yes, but it's not
the same.

slowly, i unpacked the boxes
and put my books,
my life long friends back
onto the shelves.

waiting to read once more.