The Library

the security guard looked bored,
leaning against the hospitality desk,
he chatted listlessly with the clerk
who was repairing damaged books
which had accumulated on her desk
during her absence.
library patrons checked out their
books at the self-serve station; they
didn’t even acknowledge the security
guard or the clerk as they walked out,
as if the library had no need for employees
anymore except to repair the damaged
books which pile up on desks.