this is where i'm writing this morning
i'm in northeast harbor, maine
in the maine studies room
in the village library.
a fresh breeze coming in that bank of windows
the collection here is all about maine
there are a few secrets
rarities that need special permission
a book by someone who
i remember from ages past
and a few titles i'd like to get to know
bad beaver tales, indeed
boats and ships appear everywhere
and history is palpable
hannah is archivist at this public library
when she's not hiking
showing me amazing rocky places
she knows the park* well, now
and has favorite quiet,
almost hidden
places to look long
when she's not
at work
this library is beautiful
and new
with profound respect for place
and books
and bookish things
with all kinds of art
and even a few ancient
beautiful things
these ships are "woolies"
made from yarn scraps
they're all over this library
the archive has many treasures
all about this place
this treasure i love,
a painted interior door
of a safe
in the archive room
and down the street
there is a funny funny fellow
lest we take ourselves
too seriously
this little maine interlude
is special, because in a week i will be
back at work
teaching in a different program and school.
*Acadia National Park
Mount Desert Island, Maine