the collection establishes the premise and tone of the work, with Matthews emphasizing the deep connection between poets and their books. He discusses the historical reverence poets have for literature, noting famous literary figures who cherished their libraries. The initial poem, "Ballade of the Bookworm," introduces a character who reminisces about their childhood love of books, setting the stage for a series of verses that explore themes of nostalgia, ownership, and the power of literature to transport its readers. In this opening segment, Matthews not only introduces the collection's thematic focus but also invites readers to reflect on their own relationships with books as cherished companions. (This is an automatically generated summary.)