PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

People always think of the library

As a quiet place.

But stay there long enough

And you'll realize

There's never truly a moment of silence

There is a constant undercurrent of noise:

The hum of the air conditioner

The muted rumble of people talking

The low beeps of the computers

The squeaks and bumps of the shelving cart

And if ever it does begin to fall silent

Somebody can always be counted on to drop a book

Or a child will begin crying

Or a phone will ring.

Though this isn't the silence

One would expect from a library

It is, in truth, quite soothing.

True silence in the library

Only occurs at closing time

Once the doors are locked

The computers shut off

And the people gone home

Then, the silence is eerie

Because there's nobody left

But you and the books

And you almost feel that the books are alive

Listening to every move you make.