4 Sundays out of the last 5 I have been to Waterstones cafe in Darlington, and 4 Sundays out of the last 5 I have bought at least one book.
But not today. Yes, I had already bought other things in town, but no books gave me their intuitive nudge today.
Instead I looked at the words all around me, as I drank coffee.
Words, Words, Symbols, meanings.
It was poetry books, both in the children’s section and upstairs that did attract me, but I know that I never read poetry when I buy it.
So I just looked at the words all around, all the words I could see from where I was sitting. Paying attention, to them, as they are.
And with my newly bought pen and notepad, started to write them down.
Words of Waterstones Cafe.
Durham, Powered by Steam
Hot Drinks, The Sleeping Beauties
Fossils, The Spare Parts
Organic Coffee, Sit in or take away.
The Beatles, Bloody Brilliant People
Free Hot Drink, Happy.
Start where you are, The little book of Bananas
How to grow a garden, Chai latte.
Practical Self-Sufficiency, Footprints
In praise of Walking, Slugs
Automobile, No Snoring
Coffeeland, Hunter killers.
Northeastern Railway, A treachery of spies
Biography, They.
A History of God, Abyss
Freedom, No such thing as normal.
Elephants, Limited.
My Life, How to build a tree house
What If? Stillness is the key
The Path, Nothing to envy.
(James Ballantyne)
James Ballantyne 