Tobacco And Newspapers Poem by Raj Dronamraju

I miss the smell of new magazines and newspapers just put on the shelf
The ink and the paper triggering the desire to read
The tobacco products behind the counter gave off their own scent
Which joined in barbershop quartet-like singing with one voice about the glory of the written word

"This is not a library"
I spin the comic book rack looking for this week's new issues
Get caught up in the latest issue of The Defenders or X-Men bringing down the shopkeeper's wrath
I put it back but then I pick up another

The feel of glossy pulp paper between my fingertips
That's a sensation that rivals words of description
Someone lays change on the counter for a newspaper and the clatter sends me spinning past pipe tobacco that comes in pouches and cigars individually wrapped or in boxes to a world not pushed aside by the convenience of reading online