Sitting in a burgundy overstuffed chair

in the children’s library,

one of the most joyous places to be,

with an oval blue rug edged with smiling kids,

their woven images holding hands, underfoot,

a mom begins reading a story aloud.

A green spotted carved dragon listens in,

and the enormous bear and giraffe,

they lean closer from high,

cappuccino-colored corners.

I thank the world for libraries,

for books, for people behind counters who say,

Yes.

Once again, having no house key on my ring,

I breathe in while I still can,

knowing all this will continue on

without me.