I took it from the study shelf
Where I’d placed it just a year ago.
Still new
Still shiny
And unopened.My Chipped Conker.
I stood and held it in my hand
Recalled last year’s excitement
The glossy cover
With my name.
And its hidden flaw.
Yes, a year ago today I opened a package and held in my hand the very first copy of my book. It was wonderful. Fleetingly, I thought my dreams had come true.
But dreams are easily shattered and all too soon someone pointed out a repeated word in the very first paragraph. Someone else referred to various typos. I didn’t have the heart to check them out.
My wonderful shiny conker was flawed.
I hid it away, not knowing what to do. Knowing that one day I would have to face up to it; not having the courage. Today, a year from it first arriving, I’ve started reading my own book.
Rosalie Squires 
Not fixable?
I’ll think about it. Many thanks for your interest and advice.
I can empathise entirely being an obsessive re-writer yet still finding areas that I could have tackled better. You’re only consolation is that you are not alone.
Thank you. That actually is a big consolation – I didn’t have the online friends then that I do now.
Facing flaws is never easy. Especially when they’re out there, and you’re unable to click “delete.” It might help you to think that you’re published. So many, like me, would like to write a book but haven’t yet done so. Pat yourself on the back. You’ve done good.
Hope my words help…even a little. Hugs… 🙂