I read to escape 

from my problems 

I use it as a chance to 

become the star of the show

everyone cheers for

I get to pretend I’m a great 

detective solving the case

I imagine I’m the brave explorer 

fighting off evil and finding treasure

I become the funny main character

who falls in love so easily

I’m no longer the side character 

in a world lacking anything of interest

I cry and laugh along 

with these characters that 

become family to me

I cheer for them as they

 face all of the obstacles I can’t

They pave the way for me 

to one day be able to do 

even a fraction of what they do

As soon as the pages 

and words surround me, 

I know I’m home

Even if my story starts

 out scary, I know 

I’ll be okay by 

the last chapter

See, life isn’t 

quite as neat

I’ll never know if 

I’ll be okay