Who knows the secrets of those who guard our knowledge?
Sybil in the Stacks
She sits behind the desk, with fluorescent lights
glinting on her heavy spectacles.
Her hair , meticulously pinned back in a bun
has its own shine ; and her clear pale skin ,
with no cosmetics , not even an eyebrow plucked or pencilled in
has its own translucent glow .
No transcendent beauty in herself , she makes the most
of a sensuous bottom lip , lightly coloured pink
from biting with white and even teeth as she ponders
a problem someone has left her to be solved .
Ah ! See there ! As if to free her mind
she loosens some wisps of hair from their confinement
and suddenly the problem is no longer hers , but mine !
As she rises from her high backed office chair
the library has become a Sibyl's cave
and I no longer see the modern girl in neat grey suit
but a nubile priestess swaying in the drug filled smoke,
her white limbs flashing through a flimsy gown.
I am distracted from the abstract contemplation
of the literature , philosophy and art I could find here
all vaulted in these dark and musty stacks ,
but bring a different questing mind to bear
on carnal matters , beauty of the fleshly kind .
Her mind is with the gods , her body here by me .
I shall ask no questions of her.
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Written by Phil (6388 comments posted) 19th May 2007 |
I may have to show this to my boss. He has a thing about librarians and music teachers being in need of brown paper bags.
On second reading, I got a lot more from this. The first stanza is very visual, almost like a film director's notes for a close up - shot in colour, but almost monotone.
The second stanza explodes into life and engages much more than the visual.
It's wonderful when we stumble upon beauty of any kind.
Enjoyed very much.
Phil.
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Written by AnnieSeed (128 comments posted) 19th May 2007 |
| Brilliant, Patterjack - you really bring her to life. Every word perfectly chosen. |
Another of your "dirty old man" series
Written by Talisker (1300 comments posted) 20th May 2007 |
Very sensuous, which is what you do best. Excellent in every way.
At first I read "Sybil in slacks" and thought that it may be about Basil Fawlty's Wife in "Farty Towels", I mean "Fawlty Towers" 
Oli |
Thanks all !
Written by patterjack (1067 comments posted) 20th May 2007 |
... and Oli , javing just read your idecnt proposals to Elli , I can ask -- Who are YOU to call anyone a dirty old man !!! ?
PS -- I do work at it , I admit , but the thought and the deed are discrete , though not discreet
patterjack |
Sybil
Written by fellpony (1507 comments posted) 20th May 2007 |
Liked this a lot. I wonder if women who were actually christened Sybil ever realised how ancient a mantle they were being given? I haven't met one who survived as long as the Cumaean lady ... I assume your vision was of the Delphic variant!
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Anyone seen '300'?
Written by no1butClo (337 comments posted) 20th May 2007 |
The blood-spattered movie about the best race in classical history?
Your description of the sybil is similar to the portrayal in that film. I love 'her white limbs flashing' - makes me proud to be pale!
nicely done
clo |
Wonderful image
Written by mmSeason (32 comments posted) 22nd May 2007 |
and i'll give more indepth critique by email.
mand |
HI Brian
Written by jean.day (2196 comments posted) 24th April 2008 |
I saw this as Pick of the Week - and found it a very worthy winner. You do have such a flare with words.
I enjoyed it very much. |
Written by NathanRoberts (216 comments posted) 27th April 2008 |
Libraries are potentially erotic places. The imposed silence, the restraint, and everyone seemingly concerned with matters of the mind. Even the slightest glance becomes charged with meaning. I enjoyed this piece despite my initial ignorance of the classical reference.
Who chooses the pick of the week? |
Who chooses the pick of the week?
Written by fellpony (1507 comments posted) 27th April 2008 |
Admins: Ed, nascent or me. We like to have people nudge us about any new piece that's worthy of POTW though, as sometimes we don't read everything that's posted every single day  |
Written by mia_ms_kim (891 comments posted) 27th April 2008 |
Women's magazines and the media are dominated often by the "obvious" women, in my opinion, with an exhausting emphasis on the outer. They often leave very little to imagination. I'm so glad that there are minds that zoom in on those who doesn't advertise themselves, eg. a librarian is a good example, and sense the womanly mystery of those women. I find this piece fascinating for that reason, beyond just how well-written it is.
Mia  |
Sybil
Written by Fledermaus (3159 comments posted) 13th May 2008 |
Aren't brains the most attractive part? A good looking woman without intellect isn't likely to hold my attention very long.
A bimbo in a short skirt and high heels may be attractive for an instant, yet a geek girl with worn jeans and sneakers might cause much longer infatuations if she manages to blow me away with her smartness.
Imagine your librarian actually having all that knowledge not just around her on the shelves, but inside her. Combined with her quiet and mysterious attitude, wouldn't that make her one of the best people to spent a night with? |
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