After Dusk<\/p>\n
The library\u2019s newest intern
\ntucks the last book into the stacks,
\n735.4, a slick plastic coating over
\nthe 4-color cover; she taps the spine,
\npushes the book into alignment with
\nthe shelf mates, wishes the section
\na good evening, pushes her empty cart
\npast the research desk to leave it behind
\nthe checkout desk, waves a good evening
\nto her co-lovers of books; she shrugs into
\nher jacket and waves a misty so long
\nto her friends, those made of parchment
\nand glue, color covers, black text, worlds
\nof words waiting for minds to fertilize.
\nThe lock clicks in the front door, lights out,
\nbooks leap from their places, jig over to
\nthe travel section, hopscotch to audiobooks
\nin the children\u2019s section, saunter to the saucy
\nromance section; a few find the cookbook
\naisle, searching for the perfect pesto recipe.<\/p>\n
Magazines and circular files square dance
\nin the custodian\u2019s file cabinet, where he
\nstores a box of chocolate cookies, for
\nemergency use only. Britannica\u2019s X and Z
\nsit beneath the exit sign, the red glow
\nof their longing to leave, to sweep the dust
\naway and soar into the future of blue skies
\nas crocus heads peek through snow mounds.<\/p>\n
The dance of moon and stars moves across
\nthe firmament, day star at the gate waiting
\nto rise above sleepyheads, lids yearning to
\nstay in dreams. A lock clicks and the books
\nreturn to their dusty homes, afraid to sleep,
\nto miss if it a hand comes to open their giving
\nsharing sheaves, to open minds ready to plant
\nknowledge, a learning, a lesson until the lock
\nclicks again this evening and the books
\ncome out to play.<\/p>\n
~ J R Turek
\nJune 28, 2020
\nHour 20<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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