The Book Lying before Me

The book lying before me
A voluminous tome of history
Of men alive and men vilified
Of love and loss, care and misery
A boring book, you might say
One that brings no joys to day
One that stifles search and quest
One that hinders; a boring pest
But nay, my comrade dear
Read your future spread before you
If men alive are dead today
Thus will it go your way
Take heed while you yet have time
For history repeats its order fine
I gaze and think, (wonder) goodness me!
That book lying before me!