To live with sorrow, loss
to be be betrayed
walk on glass.
He was dirt-poor born
and fell in love
To live with sorrow, loss
to be be betrayed
walk on glass.
He was dirt-poor born
and fell in love
with literature.
He lived
in sordid company
of words.
He coped alone
in dust — victorious.
It’s circular I know
(cheating even),
but you
is one and every book
a portal to myself
(and love of libraries).
Stoner by John Williams
This is written to the book Stoner by John Williams. A short novel that have had a big impact on me written for Magaly’s prompt at toads. The main character has been an influence to my aged librarian. Maybe it’s a bit of cheating since it’s really dedicated through every book. I will also link up to the Poetry Pantry with this poem.
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September 9, 2017
This a lovely poem (the complexities of loneliness)
The book was an excellent read.
I’m already half in love with aged librarian. To learn that some of his soul comes from Stoner makes me want to run and grab my own copy (okay, I actually did just get a copy). The last stanza is glorious, and so true.
I love and resonate with “you and every book a portal to myself and love of libraries.” One is lifted out of poverty by the riches within the covers of a book.
‘It’s circular I know (cheating even), but you is one and every book a portal to myself (and love of libraries)’ … so gorgeously penned!💘
The opening stanza and its repetition is so impactful – haunting, really. It dd give me pause as, so many people, I think, do live with sorrow. What must that be like? Of course we all know sadness, but to live with sorrow every minute of every day … every second an ache.
There is a neat sort of musicality to this, especially in the the repetition of the the line “to be be betrayed”. I would like to learn more about the book that inspired your Librarian. 🙂
What an amazing tribute. I can see how you pulled the aged librarian from this. I read it when I was about 25 and it so impacted my feelings of solitude and loneliness. I remember sitting by the koi pond in the back yard and reading this over a series of several days, watching the clouds drift by on the surface of the water. I wondered then what it would be like to live in loneliness.
I love this beautiful poem – its imagery, its repetitions, its circularity…. The man on the cover of the book looks like someone who might age into your elderly librarian.
walk on glass… that stanza is amazing.. I felt it.
thank you for the poem & thoughts. Stoner is a novel I have long admired. It stands up to the best. In fact, maybe it’s time for a re-read. Bravo!
I do not know this book, however, I did enjoy your poem.
A wonderful tribute
Love the first lines and love “is one and every book a portal to myself” Great poem! I think that is not only with books but with people as well, or people in books lol” I have written the book down see if we’ve got it in our NZ library
Love the circular here…it really works to imprint the message. Don’t know the book but another one for the reading list.
Anything that inspires the aged librarian must be worth reading, so it’s on the list! I also like the circularity and repetition.
I especially like the phrase “a portal to myself.”
And I love libraries, too.
(I have not read this one. Thanks for the tip.)
Books are the real treasures and the ones who have them is rich!
How right you are: Every book is a portal to one’s self. I despair when I hear a student say, “I don’t read books.” I want to say, “If you don’t read, child, how will you ever find out who you are?”
Everyone finds their own way of dealing with sorrow, I think. And yes, I do think there is a circular aspect to it, and sometimes what we have to do is wait it out! I will have to check out the book “Stoner.”
He lived in sordid company of words.
He coped alone in dust — victorious.
How an old librarian can be sustained by a relevant book to stay on. Takes a lot to be able to stay on in such an environment!
Hank
the circularity suggests you read this book many times – a terrific tribute Bjorn and am now tempted to read it too
I gravitate to people who read a great deal, but I’ve observed those who don’t read seem to live in a narrow world. Great poem, Bjorn!
“but you
is one and every book
a portal to myself
(and love of libraries).”
My favourite lines and happy to learn of the influence to the aged librarian
Thanks for dropping by my Sunday Standard today Björn
Much 😍 love
I love the sorrow, betrayal and walk on broken glass repeat! It is such an appropriate pattern repeat for those who have been betrayed.
I love when we find the book/story, which explains something about us… Good addition to your librarian…
I just saw this prompt –what a wonderful response–there is a wonderful sense of having this book as your companion in this piece for me–really beautifully written!
I loved this especially the end….every book is indeed a portal to me and who I am!
‘Dirt poor born’ rang true for many I knew growing up in rural Texas. I must include myself in that situation. The lucky ones found solace in books.
‘in sordid company
of words.
He coped alone
in dust — victorious.’
Love this! Please bring back the aged librarian.
Will add the book to my shelf. And I love this circular poetry. Thank you for introducing me to this form.
Very interesting…..loved the last stanza..!!