Reluctant Librarian

The Reluctant Librarian

For many weeks she worked up to it
Excuses rehearsed for hours too
Finally she couldn't face it
Her books were overdue

Knew she could leave it no longer
Have to take it on the chin
More than slightly surprised when led
To the room with the gallows in

Blue stocking sentinel librarian
Bi-focals slowly trained
Upon each new arrival
Her look at best was pained

Customers avidly browsing
Despite her telling looks
Dared to consider loaning
All her brand new books

Marks and Spencer's cardy
Spec's upon a chain
Young faces breach the portal
Fearing to return again

The wiser knowing young female
Brings kids to baby sit
And while her kids take all attention
Slips six CD's in her baby-change kit

Forty seven older persons
Gen up on cats; making wills
While younger clientele choose DVD
To match their reading skills

But libraries are modernising
To meet the computer age
Clients quietly ask assistance
Seeking the Swedish blonde homepage

Young mum fifteen books returning
Holding the pages fast
Hoping assistant wont notice
Her son's ripped out the first and last

Chief librarian pronouncing
All present tremble at knees
Authority and all Why are you still here?
"We're closing, your books stamped , please"

And those who still dare to linger
Chief librarian frowns deeper and tuts
"Get your books stamped out NOW, please!"
"In five minutes this library SHUTS!"

"And what are you doing reading?
Sitting here all alone?
What do you think this place is for?
Shouldn't you be at home?"

Noise levels rise as some readers enthuse
About the books they've read
Librarian down the nose rebukes
Silence or you're dead

Management changes, customer care
Changing frowns to smiling looks
Difficult to hold the pose when asked
"Have you any reading books?"

Libraries for old people, vagrants &; fools?
The stupid and the damned?
Libraries for librarians
All other users banned