In all the smashed cat in the road days of
hungover afternoons, and empty pocket
mornings, one constant wherever I was
were the trips to the library.
I read most everything back then:
Hamsun
Hemingway
Steinbeck
Fitzgerald
Eugene O’Neil, and Gogol,
and always Bukowski.
They were my lighthouse in the
abysmal fog of street life, and the
abscessed ocean of bent dreams.
The greats could always squeeze juice from
the words and I drank them down in
those lonely city libraries.
It mixed well with the vodka and whiskey.
Some of the libraries had security guards.
Their job was to yell, “No sleeping”, as they
walked by, like witnesses at a hanging.
I dozed in those comfortable chairs,
noon light bathing me in golden peace.
I was a knight, the hero, Thomas, the great.
I hated those fuckers for waking me up.
I’d rise and wander around to stay awake.
Every time,
everywhere,
there she’d be,
my, clean, quiet, well-read, heavenly librarian.
Brown hair in a bun, large glasses, and usually
a silk blouse and tweed skirt, sexy as sin.
I watched her for hours. I wrote about her,
the way she moved and talked and smelled of
lilies and jasmine.
I made up scenes of wild sex in the
fiction section on top of
Dostoyevsky and Joyce,
Huckleberry Finn and Tropic of Cancer.
Miller and Nin would have blushed.
I pictured her bent over the banister by the
travel book section on the third floor.
I’ve got her skirt hiked up over her ass,
and I’m in Wonderland, El Dorado, and the
Emerald City all rolled into one.
She guided me through suicidal days and made
the wait to become a writer a worthwhile utopia.
-
Author:
Thomas W Case (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: March 7th, 2025 11:20
- Comment from author about the poem: This reading on YouTube is from a recent open mic I did via Zoom, in Iowa City. Here is a link to my website www.thomaswcase.com My new book, It's Just a Hop, Skip, and a Jump to the Madhouse is available here https://www.amazon.com/Its-Just-Skip-Jump-Madhouse/dp/B0DY4XDQYC/ref=
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 15
- Users favorite of this poem: Poetic Licence, Teddy.15, Cassie58
Offline)
Comments8
The journey of fantasy and fiction where better than a library and what better library than one's mind a great write.
Thank you. Much appreciated.
I read this in my car before setting off for home this Friday eve .. (for once I got finished on time) .. the car was stationary by the way .. this is epic and more than just pads out your already very impressive portfolio my good friend .. There's something about librarian's aint there .. Neville
Yes, there is. Thank you, my friend.
Fantasy and fiction blended perfectly together in a wonderful write, really enjoyed the read
lol. Thank you.
You are very welcome
Splendid work! My library is now mostly digital and a large part of it supplied by Gutenberg. 🙏🏻🕊
Thank you.
Your welcome Thomas 🕊🙏🏻
Keep on reading Thomas.
Andy
Thank you.
This is an epic dear Thomas. 🌹
Thank you, sweet Teddy.
I wonder if she ever had an inkling of how much she featured in your fantasies at that time? A great read Thomas. Thoroughly entertaining and she got you through a difficult phase in your life.
Thank you, Cassie. I appreciate it.
Some delightful imagery and turns of phrase in this write, Thomas! The spirit of Bukowski lives on in such poems as this one! I do not FAVE poems, but I did press the LIKE button. I would have pressed it three times if it would have registered them all!
Thank you, my friend.
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