Hidebound

by flammeusgladius

Hidebound

The latest book sale had a special section
for ancient volumes bound in human hide.
So Mr. Lorecatt purchased one. Inside
he found lines that progressed in a direction
not of this earth. Was this a mere collection
of diagrams and emblems, though? He cried
aloud against the very thought — and tried
his practiced craft of textual dissection.
It ate his nights up first, and then his days.
His eyes took on a weary, empty look
as he assured himself: “Persistence pays.
I’m on a vital trail, not on a hook….”
He faded as he wandered in that maze–
and left his hide to bind a lesser book.

–Tom Riley