last-minute decisions

I love this book I didn't want
it to end, and
it hasn't yet, but
I'll slow down if I can
I cannot begin again
I cannot begin again
once it's over, to start over
would be nothing but pretend

as if things could turn out
differently, that's
not how books can work

unless they make a movie of it
but I hope they keep the ending,
since
I haven't reached it yet, but

shit. It's got to be
so good, I hope
it's good enough to keep! How
can you slow it down
while plowing headlong forward with
your hope in throat
so deep?

I can't.
I'm stopping now.
Let's let suspense fill in
the rest, and I

will set aside my hope,
to sleep.

This morning, once it dawns,
I'll wake blear-eyed and bushy
-faced, exhausted from the pace

I've made, pick up
the book, from where it's laid

- and make the choice

No, never mind.
It's made.

This book will never end. I'll pass
it on to one dear friend, and swear
her to a secrecy:

don't spoil it again
for me.