Poem: The Entire World is a Book

by Emily Holroyd-Smith

A modern reworking of Jacques' Seven Ages of Man speech from Shakespeare's 'As You Like It'.

All the world is a book.

Seven chapters. Men and women merely words. They have their pages. One sentence can change the story. So the story begins.

The story starts with chapter one. An infant. Crying and screaming in the night. Waking their mother and father, without a care in the world.

Chapter two. The school kid. Whining at even the thought of school. Protesting at everything. Their shining rucksack reflecting the sun.

The third chapter is the teenager. Sneaking out when ever they have the chance. Disobeying their parents at every opportunity. Making us turn a page in our book.

The fourth chapter is the university student. Parties all night. Lectures all day. Choosing their careers. Making choices. Taking a turn in the story.

This chapter has definite surprises. Chapter 5. You’re all settled down. Could be married? Maybe even kids. You might have a good career. You have your whole life on the right tracks. But maybe you could have nothing. No one knows.

The sixth chapter, you’re at the retiring stage. You have grand-children. You’re a grand-parent. But maybe you are deteriorating. You are not what you used to be, especially your eyes and your ears. However, the fun is not over yet. You are still trying to make the most of your life.

The seventh stage, the final chapter. You are still clinging onto the last sentence of the story. The last words. But then…Slam! The book is shut. You are gone. Gone forever.