Brian Sambourne Poet Free verse

Refuge

Library doors open in an up draft of promise
I saunter past screens of computer mayhem
        to book shelves of comforting distraction
        of liberated reading

Words rattling on pages of saucy fiction
        or on the white edges of mystery.
Perhaps the poised intimacy of Austen's novels
        or hard packed history suits me?
Select (possibly) the measured merit of Poetry 
Or a Shakespeare\Dickens' volume that lifts
        the veneer of living and invites me into
        a ruined world.
Pages that seem to turn themselves 
        in my quest for meaning

To read Whitman in seclusion for fear of being
        ridiculed at home
        inspiring lines, like weightlessness

 To seek a narrative arc of oddities, of what's unfamiliar 
        taking me in a different direction
        percolating like coffee brewing
        to discover the ravaged past as a
        variation on what's present

Book stacks that ooze the richness of culture,
        unwrapping what's striking
My private universe
        a welcomed exploration
        like a bird uncaged
        in prized solitude
        in the quiet of spaces.










(Poem twice received an NA in 2020 contests:
My Private Universe Oct 11th.   Completely Your Choice 28
November 16th)
Revised: April 18, 2021

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John Hamilton January 16, 2021 at 12:22 PM Thought I remembered this one, congrats Brian, no N/A this time, but a nice win! Brian Sambourne January 16, 2021 at 12:28 PM Thank you, John, for giving the NA pieces a second breath of life. Health + happiness to you, Brian

John Hamilton October 30, 2020 at 7:53 AM It's so true, sometimes we need a refuge from the craziness of this world, I forgot about how important libraries are, so true the touch of a book cannot be replaced by electronic devices, feels much more authentic. Very nice write Brian I am enjoying your writing! Brian Sambourne October 30, 2020 at 8:02 AM Hello John You've made my day. Many thanks. This poem also received an NA in Souper contests. But still I write on. Book stacks do provide passages of discovery + comfort. Thank you for reading my work. Be well. Brian