Thread: Library in Wartime

When civilization stirs

books and bricks
and sheets of dust
mingle in layers,
Troy in miniature,
thanks to the blitz.

Shelves remain stocked.
The spine of the library
vibrates as rockets fall,
shouldering the shock
of Gotterdammerung.

Incendiaries may scorch a novels skin
but only Hell can destroy its skeleton.

Old libraries wear wars wounds
with patience and resilience;
paper outlasts the context of their print.

Long after demagogues are reduced to dust
like the bombs they applied, their rhetoric mocked
by the scholars who survived, the old chandelier
sways and the banister winds upstairs; reconstructed
from the wreckage of previous layers.

Knowing we have done well, one day in the distant future, when the voices of our harshest critics have faded away, someone will unearth our poems/art, and raise it to fresh and untainted light.

Originally Posted by arkayye

Knowing we have done well, one day in the distant future, when the voices of our harshest critics have faded away, someone will unearth our poems/art, and raise it to fresh and untainted light.

Cheers.

Long after demagogues are reduced to dust
like the bombs they applied, their rhetoric mocked
by the scholars who survived, the old chandelier
sways and the banister winds upstairs; reconstructed
from the wreckage of previous layers.

This stanza, I loved, it seemed to embody the spirit of the poem for me. The subtle rhyme scheme is lovely. Libraries have always felt like a safe haven for me personally, the feeling of peace when I walk into them, it's almost like coming home. Interesting poem, Edge, I truly enjoyed it.

"The spine of the library
vibrates as rockets fall,"

...my favorite part.

"Old libraries wear wars wounds"

Is "wars" meant to be possessive here?

This is really solid. I could hear this being read by a booming voice! Thanks!

I spent a great deal of my teen years in the library. Unfortunately, the building was erected in the late seventies and its modern decor held no charm, and it probably would have caved under attack. Like Cindy, it was a place of peace for me and the stark contrast you've developed here is striking and well done. Your final stanza is a fine and fulfilling wrap up, kudos. One nit, novels should be novel's. As to ramatheson's reference to wars, I would prefer the singular war, but should you prefer the plural then it would have to be possessive, either war's or wars' depending on how many you referring to. One personal niggle, I wasn't too crazy about the finality of the period after "Shelves remained stocked.", it's too blunt a statement, but that may only be me. I think Shelves remained stocked/as the spine..., would read smoother. Loved the cap in Hell, it sharpened the impact nicely. Enjoyed this tremendously, Edge, the imagery was extremely vivid.

Best,
Lisa