The library!

The young librarian had no problems on arrival

to take up her new senior post

this her own domain to run with an assistant

in a rural north country town

charged with the task of bringing it up to date

excited she could not wait!

 

There would be much to do and evenings spent

a huge challenge to savour

hardly been changed since the nineteen fifties

soon her first late after it closed

and coming to the end of the week feeling tired

though happy and inspired.

 

Placing hundreds of books  in alphabetical order

heard whispering from nearby

as a large book shot out narrowly missing her face

falling onto piles of books

years of accumulated dust made her cough and splutter

not a word could utter!

 

Shaken and more than a little disturbed had to leave

running to get some fresh air

covered in this layer of musty old clinging dust

on exiting saw a movement

followed by fast tapping on the  glass window

what it could be did not know!

 

Now understood why her assistant would not stay

would not re-enter that night

could not sleep thinking of what had transpired

what had she seen and heard

returning early the next morning it seemed fine

of a break-in no sign!

 

It went without incident for several more days

chatting casually to the assistant

said it had once been  the towns court and jail

rumours abounded it was haunted

though denied witnessing anything herself

never saw books fly off the shelf!

 

The librarian more confident decided to stay

late into the evening again

with the task nearly completed cleared up

content about to leave

heard a book fall turning in the direction

a natural human reaction!

 

Before her a black mass was quickly forming

what looked like a devil

attacked her terrified screams were muffled

there was nobody to hear

the assistant was surprised to find it unlocked

going inside even more shocked!

 

On the floor by the desk the librarian sat groaning

making no sense at all

when approached retreated cowering wide-eyed

taken for psychic evaluation

was committed to a mental asylum as insane

and there she did remain!

 

This was several years ago no explanation discovered

but we know don’t we?

 

The Foureyed Poet.

 

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