There Is Life Outside Of Books

There Is Life Outside Of Books

Nobody knows this better
than the stoical reader, close to the creche
on the ground floor
of the Sutton Public Library,
who remembers a youth of guarded, concentrated silence
around reading
in such places.
Now the racket made by children
seems to be encouraged.
And why not, our stoical reader thinks.
Let their trebles and shrieks fill
the entire building,
for it is only life after all,
from those with a life ahead of them.

However,
having made this generous concession,
he concludes:
Perhaps, it is time
for the cacophony of infant sound
to subside
so he can get back
to a few hours of undistracted reading,
to the pleasure and absorption of a world concocted with words.

Reviews

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A library is indeed a sanctury but modernity has changed our libraries into centres of technology and learning. Thus silence is often no longer posible. A piece that provokes thinking.

[John]

Libraries have become the Museum of the Book, with noisesome classes and courses keeping the whole enterprise afloat. Thanks John for your thoughts on the subject and the poem.

[Chris Shaw]

I like my libraries quiet, so I can concentrate. There is a time and place for everything. I prefer the noise of children in the playground. I sensed the frustration in your conveyed words :) Happy undistracted reading.

Chris

[John]

Thanks Chris for your thoughtful words. Libraries used to be a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the everyday world. Not anymore alas.

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly so ….