caught in the rays from the windows
leading to the adult section of the library.
Here was my Eden
with overflowing groves
of knowledge ready to harvest.
Even then I doubted
that knowing caused a fall.
I had proof of my rising
with every new thing I learned.
I walked slowly,
one eye on the librarian,
the other in the 130’s.
A quick tug on the spine
brought the book to my hand.
I scuttled away
to a worn chair in the back
to see what I could learn
by the time the gilded dust motes
drifted along a tighter angle.
I still lacked the nerve
to claim it and take it home.
But even after I made the choice
to leave it behind on the shelving cart,
next to The Color Purple and Mists of Avalon,
I walked home
with my head full magic,
waiting for the next equinox.
Liner Notes for this Groove: This poem was created for the Friday Writings prompt given at Poets and Storytellers United.
Woo-hoo! To be a witch and know things – how enticing! And what more delightful guide than dear Sir Terry? Those other volumes on the shelving cart are treasures too. I was already well and truly grown-up when I discovered them all. What an even greater pleasure it must have been to find them when younger.
ReplyDeleteI still lacked the nerve
ReplyDeleteto claim it and take it home... ha ha .. that I can relate to! True,though, it was quite the journey in learning!!
It was "The Mists of Avalon" that made me want to run away and become a witch. And in a way, I did!
ReplyDeleteHow fantastic!
DeleteKnowing is the best sort of magic, isn't it? This one made me smile a lot, because I could practically see you holding the book close to your heart, then devouring everything it offered.
ReplyDeleteYAY to knowing things and having a head full of magic. Quite a beautiful poem, Rommy. Happy Autumn!
ReplyDeleteThe library as garden, how lovely your metaphor. Beautiful poem, Rommy.
ReplyDeleteChoosing the forbidden is sometimes a wise choice!
ReplyDeleteI can identify with your poem. :-) Life would be so different for us, writers, dreamers, and knowledge soakers without public libraries.
ReplyDeleteI love that the absorption of the book, still did not persuade you to take it home. Good one, Rommy!
ReplyDeleteYes! A magical place!
ReplyDelete