The aged librarian finds pride
in being prudent even in the face
of vagrant long-legged visitors,
with hips wider than a single
gaze could capture, even if their
passing presence, tinkly titter,
and blossomy essence stir
an adolescent steel within him
he resolves to stoic suffering,
silently, studying selections
of sagacious essays about
the virtue of Victorian policies.
and even if a temptress corner
him with tantalizing queries
on his favorite poetry he
simply mumbles that he is
way too busy with paramount
demands to be able to let
himself to be absorbed in
leisurely matters, and only
later, later when alone,
he indulges in the sea
of a well-worn copy of Saphos’
most salacious songs.
Jose Ferraz de Almeida Junior
Today Kim hosts at dVerse and we are being given a choice of words to use as a title in a new poem. My choice was Limerance: an involuntary state of intense desire
July 11, 2023
Björn Rudbergs writings 
I’ll repeat what I said to Laura, Björn: I have a feeling limerence is going to be a popular choice, as is petrichor, but that’s the fun of it, seeing all the different poems inspired by the same word. But I also had a feeling that the aged librarian would make an appearance – what a combination! These lines made me smile:
‘…even if their
passing presence, tinkly titter,
and blossomy essence stir
an adolescent steel within him
he resolves to stoic suffering’
and,
‘later, later when alone,
he indulges in the sea
of a well-worn copy of Saphos’
most salacious songs’.
I had fun imagining the poor man.
I bet you did!
oh to resist such temptations as long legged vagrants and blossomy essence – can Saphos satisfy after all that? –
I think he has very little choice.
Poor librarian 😦
Ha. This is great.
“vagrant long-legged visitors” … I love that. … He is a good man to maintain his resolve. He has far too much important work to do; he cannot be preoccupied by feminine wiles.
Maybe he is just shy
This is absolutely stellar writing here, Bjorn! This is a lovely addition to the aged librarian series 😀
I especially admire; “even if a temptress corner him with tantalizing queries on his favorite poetry he simply mumbles that he is way too busy with paramount
demands.” 💙💙
Just excuses, excuses….
If only the temptresses knew what simmered beneath the stoic demeanor and avoidant barriers of the aged librarian. Yet perhaps they do know…
Love this part:
“and only
later, later when alone,
he indulges in the sea”
And who is to say that perhaps there are two sailing those seas?
‘Temptation of the librarian’ will be apt. I enjoyed reading the poem, Björn. The image you created was vivid and I can visualise the poor man hot under the collar.☺️
Oh I could visualise the old librarian perfectly Björn = poor chap😊
That is one long sentence! I love your aging librarian stories!
That aged librarian was certainly suffering! Like his choice is poetry at the end.
This is the best ending ever: “…later when alone,
he indulges in the sea
of a well-worn copy of Saphos’
most salacious songs.” What a revelation to this guy’s character. LOL!
Glad to see the old fellow back some more. You seem to be keeping him busy at his work. You kinda helped me active, I’m the sow’s ear and didn’t know Sappho was.
..
The aged librarian in a new view. Nice one
Much💜love
And here I thought we knew the old librarian well… and now you have him reading salacious poetry 🙂 Great, though totally unexpected twist!!!
I feel for this librarian of yours, my friend!
❤
David
“even if their
passing presence, tinkly titter,
and blossomy essence stir
an adolescent steel within him
he resolves to stoic suffering,
silently, studying selections
of sagacious essays about
the virtue of Victorian policies.”
I would expect nothing less of that aged librarian.