In a run down palace of exile
where books are king
is where I spend my time
off hours
of constant contemplation
surrounded
engulfed
by that ever musky odor
of old books
A combination of mildew
and dust
that ever present smell
that makes me think
of knowledge
intrigue
and adventure
But this day
while sitting
floor-bound
with a book on
Ava Braun
in came a vision
who headed straight for
the romance section
to paw through the
harlequin covers
I read the same sentence
over and over
while stealing glances
at her
she was dressed up
in her finest
dress-down clothes
her hair pulled back
into pig tails
her sweats clinging to
her just so
And though she was only
there for five minutes
and we locked eyes only
twice
In my mind we could have
been together
That was my last time
in the run down palace of
exile
as it was time to put down
the books
and pursue a life
outside of the imagination
Erik Lauritzen 2003
where books are king
is where I spend my time
off hours
of constant contemplation
surrounded
engulfed
by that ever musky odor
of old books
A combination of mildew
and dust
that ever present smell
that makes me think
of knowledge
intrigue
and adventure
But this day
while sitting
floor-bound
with a book on
Ava Braun
in came a vision
who headed straight for
the romance section
to paw through the
harlequin covers
I read the same sentence
over and over
while stealing glances
at her
she was dressed up
in her finest
dress-down clothes
her hair pulled back
into pig tails
her sweats clinging to
her just so
And though she was only
there for five minutes
and we locked eyes only
twice
In my mind we could have
been together
That was my last time
in the run down palace of
exile
as it was time to put down
the books
and pursue a life
outside of the imagination
Erik Lauritzen 2003

