I
Outside his head
silence – other than
the occasional rustle of paper
Inside his head
the sound of cosmic battles
as he reads a sci-fi novel
II
I’m looking for work
but don’t know where to start
she says
Here – let me show you where to look
replies the librarian
III
each time he leaves
his conversation is a little less broken
as the new arrival to this country
takes English classes
IV
a child
who was never read to at home
finds a love of literature
when he is invited to story-time
V
the librarian tries
to figure out
how many people
he has helped
in various ways this week
but finds he has lost count
~~
written for NaPoWriMo Day 6 – today we are encouraged to look at one thing from various perspectives. I am also sharing this with dVerse for Open Link Night
Quest for Whirled Peas 
Oh, AMEN.
I still love and support my library. My kids loved our libraries. I love these quiet observations, Bryan.
not sure if you read my piece yesterday or not…but yesterday’s and today’s poems are a reaction to my provincial government’s recent decision to slash library funding by 58% – a move that deeply bothers me!
I’m in awe of libraries and librarians … I just wish I could have the time to go there… there is something so special, and especially love your tribute in the last vignette.
The whole concept of ‘library’ is wonderful. Such rich places, and so sad governments are deciding they have had their day.
The second I started reading this poem I was transported to the library in my home town. This poem gave me that “library feeling” and that’s one of my favorites.
I still mourn the time my library did away with their card catalog and installed computers. I loved pawing through those card catalogs! The librarian has the mystique of immense knowledge at his fingertips, which leaves many in awe!
The librarian is very busy, helping people and giving them the love for books ~ Sci-fi and action thriller books are like movies in my mind, though outside its all silence ~
Kudos! You should submit these to your local library for support…I wish more people realized how much libraries help their communities thrive.
https://goo.gl/RtwkNQ
I can see how the librarian could lose count of how many people have been helped.
I love your snapshots of a library, Bryan! I spend a couple of hours a week as a volunteer at two local libraries and recognise them in your lines!
each time he leaves
his conversation is a little less broken
…. hmmm.. nicely put!!!
Awww, a lovely song of praise to the library and librarians! I do hope we won’t lose them.
A wonderful tribute to libraries and the amazing people that work there – I have so many fond memories of reading and writing in them whenever I was living or studying in a city that has one.
a liturgy to libraries Bryan in these stanzas Bryan – that first one is sheer poetry
each time he leaves
his conversation is a little less broken
Ah.. you reminded me of someone!❤️ Beautiful poem, Bryan 🙂
I am a lover of libraries. And I like librarians, too. 🙂
Though I was never able to read the printed materials in a library, I’ve been helped by many kind, knowledgeable librarians. Thanks for sharing this.