During the 2024 election the phrase “turn the page” was used by Democrats as a metaphor for leaving the disharmony, division and angry discourse of President Trump’s first term behind so as to introduce an era of harmony, mutual trust and honest debate.
When reading, when one turns a page, that page is in the past. If one continues to read, there is a present page perhaps to be followed by future pages. There is no rule that says one has to read the future pages if one does not like the book.
Recently I read an autobiographical novel that was comprised of vignettes from the author’s life in random order and with little context. At a point, I turned the page, but then I also closed the book. I felt (and feel) that I had read enough, I think because it was a little too close to home. Memories oft’ come unbidden. The book will appear in someone’s “Little Library” soon.
Turning the Page
from the letter a word
from the word a sentence
paragraphs, story
a book laying on its spine
on the table
like a lizard sunning its belly
twixt the fingers
fragile leaves
unearthed in reading
characters defined
story-world illustrated
actions put in order
directions organized
sources cited
assertions supported
pages turned
leaving behind
mental images
memories
pleasant or otherwise
stored somewhere
in the neurons
or heart
remembered or forgotten
yet somehow
eternal
The impressions of past unpleasantness are made all the worse when one is anticipating their return. It’s okay to turn the page or even close the book. No need to read volume two. We know it’s totally derivative, and the facts therein skewed to serve global corporations.
Better to read something uplifting, like a story wherein good prevails, or better yet a how-to book about effecting radical change.
Peace.