Tame Shelves and Wild

Where the concrete runs beneath the glass
From outside to in; by a fountain gulping
Laughter by the window; where it smells of books,
Water, humidity and a/c; when you see yourself
Behind the glass, conjured up--there it begins.

Along grey metal shelves
In a  building from the 40's
Where the books crinkle restless
Whispers about the new library
Down into the cold water

In a town slowly reaching
Toward it's fourth decade
With a new mall glimmering
Like an earring it's just trying on

Where buildings crouch on windowless haunches
Where the roads run outwards through old parks

You might look there for magic, but it's here
Slipping from the outside in.