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Mum in the Library Ancient Champion. In the Library

Mum in the Library

Ancient Champion. In the Library

by Ancient Champion, Columnist
first published: October, 2020

approximate reading time: minutes

I can hear that you are rightly so proud Of Them.

Mum in the library

Why the fuck are you talking to your children
At such volume.
I am old and I would imagine that
If you keep their ears clean
It's most likely
Their hearing is better than mine
Yet I can hear you clearly
Way over here in the biography big print section.

They are standing next to you.
And they are listening
They are attentive
They are figuring out
How to return their books
With silently humming machine help
And no help from you.

I can hear that you are rightly so proud
Of them.
They are your replacements after all.

Are you imagining they don't hear you?

Yes, yes, they're a good example
And you're a good example
You've got your children at the library, after all
I know they're here
Everyone in this place
nows they are here
They'll take after you, maybe
Not to be hushed
At a moment to be somewhat hushed
Not that you tried
Not even here

Maybe they'll be self aware like you
I can't figure it out
But among the books
I'm firing up this phone
and scribbling vitriolic notes
into it.

I've got little better to do

I know the library needs the foot traffic
I know The Library needs [the most disparaging word for] the flotsam that's in here that I can't find it right now
I know the library needs the computer users,
The browsers and
The borrowers
And the endless list of extra curricular activities

But what about a modicum
Of fucking decorum
From a mom to a mom.
This library needs that too.


More from Ancient Champion ancientchampion.com

Ancient Champion
Columnist

Ancient Champion writes for OUTSIDELEFT while relentlessly recording and releasing instrumental easy listening music for difficult people. The Champ is working on Public Transport, a new short story collection that takes up where 2021's Six Stories About Motoring Nowhere (Disco City Books) left off. It should be ready in time for the summer holidays. More info at AncientChampion.com


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