in maine

 this is where i'm writing this morning 

i'm in northeast harbor, maine

in the maine studies room

in the village library.

 a fresh breeze coming in that bank of windows

  the collection here is all about maine

there are a few secrets

rarities that need special permission

 a book by someone who

i remember from ages past

 and a few titles i'd like to get to know

 bad beaver tales, indeed

 boats and ships appear everywhere

 and history is palpable

 hannah is archivist at this public library

when she's not hiking

 showing me amazing rocky places

 she knows the park* well, now

 and has favorite quiet, 

almost hidden 

places to look long

when she's not

 at work

 this library is beautiful

and new

with profound respect for place 

and books

and bookish things

 with all kinds of art

 and even a few ancient 

beautiful things

 these ships are "woolies"

made from yarn scraps 

 they're all over this library

 the archive has many treasures

 all about this place

 this treasure i love,

a painted interior door

of a safe

in the archive room

 and down the street

there is a funny funny fellow

lest we take ourselves

too seriously

this little maine interlude

is special, because in a week i will be

back at work

teaching in a different program and school.

*Acadia National Park

Mount Desert Island, Maine