[Alessio Boni]

Hi Jim,


It's me again, I came across this poem and found it relatable for my love of books, which is something I think many members of this forum can relate to as well.

I specifically focused on the fourth version, but I agree with Simon on the fact that there could maybe be more reasoning for why you prefer reading above other more youthful forms of activities, or at least those which you enjoyed in youth.

And also, although this could be a stretch, aren't some of the activities you mentioned potentially part of the pleasure of reading, for example, the "famous names" could be perfectly explored in Biographies or even collections of one's poetical works, and "a girl to please" could also maybe be explored via literature in the more moderate passages of De Sade? Some "distant hill" could be explored in the countless 'Excursion Poems' of Wordsworth, in his sylvan sites described, or in 'Alastor' from Shelley. For 'Football' that becomes a bit tricky so I'll have to give you that, it cant be related to literature! A cool night breeze, "Alla Sera" di Foscolo? A dollar bill and a Movie Star? Nah, those can't be related either. A 'Hero Praised', read the poem of D'Annunzio, Laus Vitae.

Maybe you could have found more 'anti - literary' activities of your youth to further contrast the joy of reading to those. For me, due to my young age, I would have maybe used the example of 'gaming', which is something I still sometimes do as a vice.

I don't know, maybe I'm rambling without sense, but I think that some of the felicities you contrast with books could themselves be part of a book.

Again, this is just my opinion and interpretation, so take it as you will. Nevertheless the rhythm is stable and continuous, and the meaning itself is witty. A nice poem to read!

Congrats!

P.S By the above I don't mean you should change the poem, I think it good the way it is. Maybe what I said could just be more of my touch to it??