The aged librarian finds in pre-dawn
a comfort of calm,
still unblemished by the quarrel from books;
not tainted by syllables bleeding
from paper-cut scars.
he might love them like children,
but also a father needs peace
before he dissolves into facts and opinions.
He closes his eyes, believes in the notions
that grows in the verses of light
from this muteness and the words
once inked by his favorite authors.
The mountain path leads skyward and dissolves into light (Tukaram)
Today we are inspired by Laura at dVerse with a number of mystic quotes to use in a poem, or title, or as an epitaph of the poem,
December 08, 2020
Björn Rudbergs writings 
I couldn’t help clapping my hands with glee when I saw that your poem is about the aged librarian, Björn! I too find calm in pre-dawn, although I’m currently not volunteering in libraries due to Covid. I smiled at a quarrel from books and ‘syllables bleeding from paper-cut scars’. A father does need some peace, as does a mother.
An interesting use of the prompt line and how it brought the librarian out again. I like how his relationship with the books is ambivalent – they are quite noisy companions at times
“till unblemished by the quarrel from books;
not tainted by syllables bleeding”
Fartfist generously approves
a fitting dialogue for an aging librarian …
A visit from the old librarian is always a pleasant interlude!
Wonderful. I love this
I’m fascinated by this guy. How old is the Librarian? What does he look like in your imagination?
I am very inspired by Borges… and I can see him a bit like the librarian monk in the film the name of the rose… (though he was the villain)
Ooooh yeah. Absolutely.
Another good one for the Aged Librarian series Bjorn. I so enjoy the time for solitutude, peace and comfort of calm that pre-dawn brings. Quarrel from books made me smile.
Oh yeah; Mr Libraryman rocks. Thanks for this new glimpse BR! Perfectly penned.
There’s a Borges feel to this – the contending volumes jiggling on their shelves and here’s the librarian, bringer of order, father figure, tolerant parent smiling at his charges – and this moment of calm he takes for himself – wonderful magical stuff.
An artist, an actor prepares, and it seems so does the aged librarian. Perhaps one day our chapbooks will be side by side, BLACKTHORNE and THE AGED LIBRARIAN.
This is absolutely magnificent, Bjorn! 😀 I love; “a comfort of calm,
still unblemished by the quarrel from books; not tainted by syllables bleeding from paper-cut scars.” The glory of the aged librarian continues! 💝💝
Ah yes, the adventures of the aged librarian. Wonderful Bjorn.
Oh, so beautiful! I love the librarian’s perspective; it’s quite seldom to see such a figure used in poetry. 😀
Wow! I love where you took this prompt! “still unblemished by the quarrel from books; not tainted by syllables bleeding from paper-cut scars.” – amazing lines. Books are not always quiet in their role.
I do enjoy the librarian series. They are always so mysterious much like the books that line the library shelves. I miss going to the library, ours has been closed. You can order on line and they will bring books to your car. It’s just not the same as thumbing through the shelves. sigh
I too love the old librarian. Thank you for continuing the adventure. Each one of these speaks to me as a teacher and book lover.
Please continue.
Speaking as a father of a precious daughter, these lines deeply resonated with me.
Your storytelling is enchanting.
-David
Oh, those predawn moments of parental bliss! I am intrigued by your aged librarian, who has apparently been around a lot longer than I have…
“verses of light”–they are! and what a wonderful painting! (K)
This is beautiful Björn. Books are haunting and quarrelsome and exhausting. I’m not a librarian, but this speaks to me.
I must admit, Bjorn….a huge grin came across my face when I read the first line and realized the librarian was back! I’ve missed him so. I love these lines
“not tainted by syllables bleeding
from paper-cut scars.
he might love them like children,
but also a father needs peace
before he dissolves into facts and opinions.”
The idea of the librarian in a parental role within the shelves…such a wonderful comparison here.
I enjoyed this so much…..don’t wait so long to bring the librarian back! I missed him.
This shows us another side of the librarian, one that appreciates the words he reads, but find just as much worth in the sights that inspire them.
Nice idea needing peace from the chattering of even favourite books.
As always I want to sit and learn from your Librarian, I think has much wisdom to share.
“He closes his eyes, believes in the notions
that grows in the verses of light” – beautifully written.
So happy to read about the librarian again!
This librarian is wise to take a moment to meditate in the pre-dawn hours. He is always surrounded by light, being a librarian, so I can see the need to take a moment and chill in darkness. His path is still there when he is ready just as the quote alludes. We are all called to hike mountains! 💖
I love your librarian stories. So many words to shuffle through!
but also a father needs peace
before he dissolves into facts and opinions.
The wisdom of being old will filter down to benefit all the younger ones.
Hank
“believes in the notions
that grows in the verses of light” such a gentle, wise ending to the poem
The Librarian. The Librarian. I do not know this man. I wish to know this man. I’d best start backtracking. A thoroughly enjoyable read, Bjorn.
I keep trying to post a comment….
If I must be aged I hope it is as a librarian!
“ The aged librarian finds in pre-dawn
a comfort of calm,
still unblemished by the quarrel from books;
not tainted by syllables bleeding
from paper-cut scars.”
This is brilliant writing!