Once,
I bought a book in which
the previous reader
had filled the margins
with notes.
It was difficult to read
with the margins stuffed
full of inky words and thoughts.
I put the book down.
For weeks, I tried
to read this
stuffed margin book,
to no avail.
Even though the notes were thoughtful,
insightful even,
the clutter was too much.
I ended up buying a different copy.
In print and design,
margins give space to words and images
allowing them to breathe,
allowing the reader’s eyes
to float easily
from line to line,
from shape to shape,
allowing the mind
to connect more easily
idea to idea.
Without enough space,
even the most beautiful
words and images
cannot fully show themselves.
I began to think about my personal margins.
I looked at my calendar.
The margins had all been stuffed full.
I had left no space for real
thought,
connection,
freedom.
No wonder I wanted to walk away,
put my life down
like a
margin-stuffed book.
The difference:
I couldn’t buy a new life.
But I could create my own margins.