walking into a library makes me smile, especially if it has high ceilings and desks set very far apart… I like it to be quiet and sort of echoey, with the only sounds being the occasional creaks from people shifting in their seats, shuffling those big strong wooden chairs
It would never hurt to extend the piece with the smell of books and the chill of the AC. I love it.
Come to New Orleans and I’ll take you to my neighborhood library with the good, wooden chairs, the churchyards I frequent and the river. The one that rages on, even when there’s a drought.
As one trying to learn more from somatic experiences I love your reflection about the feeling of that place in the corner...deep inside. What is that sensation that emerges when your thoughts merge with sight, sound, smell, touch and even taste...does you coffee taste different when in a library? I know mine tastes completely different when I’m in my studio. Always appreciate anything related to ‘garbage.’
I've always liked the library too. At school, it was one of the few places where I didn't have to talk to anyone; I could just be. I really appreciate the connection you made between libraries, palaces, and cathedrals. They are beautiful, airy, and sacred in their own ways. Well done. :-)
I love this. It stirs memories of libraries past. My local library now is a modern noisy affair with small children singing in a group, or older people learning to struggle with laptops, but it is still filled with books and I am accepting of it's modern bright attempt to keep books alive.
yes, many of these loud modern libraries now exist. it goes in line with the trend of no one being able to tolerate silence. people don't seem to like the sound of their own thoughts. sad, but we can still try hard to scope out the quiet corners :)
Yes I hadn't thought about that, no one able to tolerate silence these days. I was a Quaker for many years (no longer) so silence was what we were famous for! But you can't beat an old fashioned library
exactly :) the oldest ones are the best ones. True of many things. I hope the desire for solitude and quiet is not something that goes away with this attention-obsessed technological ego-culture we find ourselves thrust into
I volunteer with young people once a week 11-15 year olds, I play Dungeons and Dragons with them ha ha. But they struggle with attention and cannot put their phones down. The other day I said "When I was young we did not have internet" they said "Wow that must have been terrible" I said "Sometimes my parents did not know where I was for hours and hours, no one did" and they said "Wow that must have been great".
ha, I love D&D. I can't imagine getting distracted by the phone when you're knee deep in a riveting table top adventure. haha, ah well :) oh and thank you for the kind recommendation just now!
Ah, memories of libraries. Reaching for a book that you didn't know was going to change your life. The spaces and places you find in a public library, that you make your own.
ha, true. I've been in some noisy libraries too, sadly. And I've written a poem about that too. I'll probably post that some other time :P. thanks, David.
I started my life over many times, changing places and countries
counting since I was a child, 47 times
One of the most difficult moments of these changes in adult life was getting rid of the libraries, those that I had create at home ( books and cds)
I cried many times because
I couldn't keep my precious books, my greatest treasure, with me.
Each time I did an in-depth analysis of my friends so I could direct each book to the right new home
I always kept my books away because love
and I always start again, never gave up
some of them I have already bought 7, 8 times
just yesterday I found one of those indispensable books and
bought again
my biggest addiction
p.s my family never understood
because I always
With enough money for the basics, I could buy more books than clothes and shoes
Oh yesssss
When I was in England those church English library helped me with my blue depression always, holding me in a such nice place when I suffered from a lack of sunshine 🌞
oh yes, I share this addiction haha. And it's true for a book lover the hardest part of moving is taking all the books with you. they get quite heavy after a while. Thank you for this wonderful and personal comment. I appreciate you reading my poetry.
Libraries hav always been MY place. It started when I started school. The nuns would take their class to the library (Carnegie) for story time. after that I made the library my place. It was a huge learning experience. Then I became a librarian! Local libraries are not so quiet - school kids, programs for everyone, local dogs know we have automatic doors, computers. And it’s great to help researchers. AND I get to read new publications. 🤫
It would never hurt to extend the piece with the smell of books and the chill of the AC. I love it.
Come to New Orleans and I’ll take you to my neighborhood library with the good, wooden chairs, the churchyards I frequent and the river. The one that rages on, even when there’s a drought.
sounds like a wonderful place. I might have to. Nothing like a good library by the river. thank you for reading today, Sarah.
You’re welcome. Thank you for writing 📚
As one trying to learn more from somatic experiences I love your reflection about the feeling of that place in the corner...deep inside. What is that sensation that emerges when your thoughts merge with sight, sound, smell, touch and even taste...does you coffee taste different when in a library? I know mine tastes completely different when I’m in my studio. Always appreciate anything related to ‘garbage.’
thank you, Lyn! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's true, context can definitely alter sensations. the beauty of our human subjectivity.
see my restack, with a photo of me in the law library, circa 1968….
love the photograph. so classic. thanks for the restack, brother.
I've always liked the library too. At school, it was one of the few places where I didn't have to talk to anyone; I could just be. I really appreciate the connection you made between libraries, palaces, and cathedrals. They are beautiful, airy, and sacred in their own ways. Well done. :-)
yes, the beauty of it is no expectation to talk to any of the other humans there. love it. thank you for reading and for the comment today, Chelsea :)
I carry the childhood memory of my favorite library with me always. It was/is as you describe it. Thank you, Franco.
that's excellent, C.L. we should always cherish these memories. thanks for reading and sharing today.
I love this. It stirs memories of libraries past. My local library now is a modern noisy affair with small children singing in a group, or older people learning to struggle with laptops, but it is still filled with books and I am accepting of it's modern bright attempt to keep books alive.
yes, many of these loud modern libraries now exist. it goes in line with the trend of no one being able to tolerate silence. people don't seem to like the sound of their own thoughts. sad, but we can still try hard to scope out the quiet corners :)
Yes I hadn't thought about that, no one able to tolerate silence these days. I was a Quaker for many years (no longer) so silence was what we were famous for! But you can't beat an old fashioned library
exactly :) the oldest ones are the best ones. True of many things. I hope the desire for solitude and quiet is not something that goes away with this attention-obsessed technological ego-culture we find ourselves thrust into
I volunteer with young people once a week 11-15 year olds, I play Dungeons and Dragons with them ha ha. But they struggle with attention and cannot put their phones down. The other day I said "When I was young we did not have internet" they said "Wow that must have been terrible" I said "Sometimes my parents did not know where I was for hours and hours, no one did" and they said "Wow that must have been great".
Some of that time I was in my local library!
ha, I love D&D. I can't imagine getting distracted by the phone when you're knee deep in a riveting table top adventure. haha, ah well :) oh and thank you for the kind recommendation just now!
You are very welcome. I LOVE your work
Ah, memories of libraries. Reaching for a book that you didn't know was going to change your life. The spaces and places you find in a public library, that you make your own.
exactly it's both comforting and magical. true discovery. :)
They aren't always oases for the mind, but they are critical and necessary.
ha, true. I've been in some noisy libraries too, sadly. And I've written a poem about that too. I'll probably post that some other time :P. thanks, David.
deft <3
Thank you, Daisy :)
Well, I suppose, I would admit to understanding "creativity prayers"... also prayers to be popular
haha, well, yes just as we all worship in our own way, we all implore in our own ways as well ;)
Delicioso poema ,
Quente e amoroso da alma
thank you for this warm and soulful comment, Berkana
I started my life over many times, changing places and countries
counting since I was a child, 47 times
One of the most difficult moments of these changes in adult life was getting rid of the libraries, those that I had create at home ( books and cds)
I cried many times because
I couldn't keep my precious books, my greatest treasure, with me.
Each time I did an in-depth analysis of my friends so I could direct each book to the right new home
I always kept my books away because love
and I always start again, never gave up
some of them I have already bought 7, 8 times
just yesterday I found one of those indispensable books and
bought again
my biggest addiction
p.s my family never understood
because I always
With enough money for the basics, I could buy more books than clothes and shoes
Oh yesssss
When I was in England those church English library helped me with my blue depression always, holding me in a such nice place when I suffered from a lack of sunshine 🌞
:) it can be difficult when the family doesn't undrstand. I know exactly what you mean.
I always kept my books *ANYWAY*
oh yes, I share this addiction haha. And it's true for a book lover the hardest part of moving is taking all the books with you. they get quite heavy after a while. Thank you for this wonderful and personal comment. I appreciate you reading my poetry.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
Libraries hav always been MY place. It started when I started school. The nuns would take their class to the library (Carnegie) for story time. after that I made the library my place. It was a huge learning experience. Then I became a librarian! Local libraries are not so quiet - school kids, programs for everyone, local dogs know we have automatic doors, computers. And it’s great to help researchers. AND I get to read new publications. 🤫
Unfortunately there will come a time when these places no longer exist.