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A Library

A Library

 

A Victorian gothic structure of little renown.

It stands in isolation as a chapel does for prayer.

Yet within its walls and behind its doors.

There is an inner sanctum, a seat of learning.

A treasure trove of knowledge, a place of study.

Where those with a thirst for an intellect do inhabit.

Men and women, even the very young.

All join in this citadel of learning and wisdom.

Where minds are sharpened to the finest point.

Where latent talents take root and research is initiated.

A mysterious interior of ordered avenues.

All with high shelves some with embossed tomes.

Where fiction and non fiction are neatly segregated.

A multitude of table lamps sit on an array of tables.

Where silence is golden and mandatory.

Zealously guarded and regularly patrolled.

By two or three ladies with their hair in buns.

They stop and point with stern authority.

At the familiar inscription on each wall

SILENCE

Voices are seldom heard, whispers are permissable.

Books on trolleys are gently wheeled to their expectant shelves.

Other books are date stamped 'out' with a penalty warning.

As others are returned having been read and digested.

Anthony Trollope gazes across at Enid Blyton.

Shakespeare smiles warmly toward Agatha Christie.

Algebra winks at a flamboyant atlas.

And all this in a place of reverence.

Where etiquette is observed by all.

A hidden gem, a library,

The home of literature and the abode of books.

◄ Solitude & Silence

Contradictions ►

Comments

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jennifer Malden

Wed 2nd Aug 2023 16:48

Have always loved libraries and bookshops, like Aladdin's Cave, full of treasures. The only place I really enjoyed spending time in at my school, (it was also the warmest place to sit)! Do mobile libraries still exist in the country? When I was a teen there was a fantastic one which came to the village with a huge choice. They would also provide any book, (within reason) you asked for. An incredible service. Lovely poem.

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keith jeffries

Sat 8th Jul 2023 19:46

Thank you to all who read this poem ad gave their 'likes' and comments. The poem was based on the local public library I used regularly as a boy. Such places are important in all communities, however, having said that, I recently visited one which was almost bereft of books and crammed with computers. This seems to explain an apparent deterioration in the general standard of English both spoken and written these days.
Thank you again,
Keith

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John Botterill

Sun 25th Jun 2023 21:46

A great tribute to a wonderful institution, Keith. Congratulations 👍
And we need to use them or lose them as Uilleam suggests.

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Stephen Atkinson

Sun 25th Jun 2023 13:01

A comforting, rosey read. Beautifully described, Keith 🌈

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kJ Walker

Sat 24th Jun 2023 08:52

As a kid I was regularly turfed out of the local library, for being too dirty.
They'd send me home to wash my hands, but as we had no hot water in the house, and as the muck was so ingrained I rarely passed inspection.
I think libraries are a fantastic institution, but my memory of them as a child is slightly marred.

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Greg Freeman

Fri 23rd Jun 2023 08:57

'Where latent talents take root and research is initiated': many fine writers have ascribed their beginnings to finding sanctuary and inspiration in their local library, as you say, Keith. I bunked off school in the sixth form to read poetry there, although I don't cite that as particularly exemplary. Amazingly, we have a poetry library in Morpeth, our nearest big town in Northumberland, which boasts the grand title of 'Northern Poetry Library'.

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Graham Sherwood

Fri 23rd Jun 2023 06:32

A rich observation in much more than words! sadly deemed no longer relevant to a know it all generation.

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Stephen Gospage

Fri 23rd Jun 2023 06:08

Like Uilleam, as a boy I relied greatly on our local library, which was a key point in the community.

A pleasure to read this, Keith.

Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Thu 22nd Jun 2023 23:16

Thank you Keith.
When I was about 8 or 9, I became a member of a library near my school.

My love of reading grew, and fired my imagination so much that I'd go to the library on the way to school, read a book under the desk in class, sometimes getting it confiscated.

I'd take it home and finish it, then exchange it the following morning, and so on.

Public libraries have been a catalyst of great beneficial change in my life regardin music literature and travel...but hey, who needs them eh---bloody socialist nonsense!

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