Old Library Rot
Comfy, dry, old, camphor and oil
argyle knee socks and pleated smiles
walking quietly through aisles
of decaying book piles.
The hiss of radiator bile
warming those tired
from searching endless files
in narrow wooden sarcophagi
surrounded by tinny echoes
bounced off Cloroxed tiles.
-by Ava Hypatia
_________
Prompt: At d’Verse Poets, Kelly asks us to write about a “scents that linger”.
Ava Hypatia
Verbal Strings 
Cool: I could feel myself walking through the old library carried by the cadence of your rhyme and rhythm. Funny and reminiscent — great combo.
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Beautifully described… !
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I really like that feeling of being in a library… Noted the other day that nobody was reading books any longer in the library… It was all gleaming laptops. I love the rhythms of your piece… It’s like a librarian’s soft footfall.
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Wonderfully done 🙂
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I rather like that musty, damp smell of old books in libraries. Those argyle knee socks and pleated smiles were just perfect – really enjoyed that!
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You’ve captured what it’s like.
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I could imagine myself wading through all that piles of books ~ Good one ~
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You did so great with this in such a few well-chosen words. I loved the description of those who patrol the “stacks.” I really enjoyed your fun poem.
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Never mind
libraries mine..
dark.. so dark..
quiet..
i navi
gate..
iNfront
Windows..
fAll asleep..
until liGht oF
iMac Wakes..
iRead aGain..
stiMulus now..
iLiGht smeLLs
Speeds Read
WeLLiNow..:)
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Oh, I love this… Pleated smiles and pleasant memories… This past summer I renewed my library card after many years… And just one trip there took me back to this place.
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Cleverly done. Economy of style with the emphasis on style.
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I agree with rosross. Love it.
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I love old libraries and you’ve capture their essence perfectly. It is sad that so many young people today will never know the beauty and scent of old libraries as they use their phones to find information once housed in such great institutions. Peace, Linda
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You created the ambiance so well!!
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Oh! Such fantastic, fun sounds in here. LOVE it.
Thank you for your kind comments.
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