the books i haven't read

there is a shelf in my room of books i have not read
and i keep buying more.

people make jokes about this. there’s a word for it now,
some japanese word, and it’s become a personality on the internet.

but i think the unread shelf is the most honest thing i own.
it’s a list of the men i intended to become.
the one who reads philosophy in the morning.
the one who finishes what he starts.

i walk past them every day.
they are very patient.
they are not going anywhere and neither, apparently, am i.