Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LIBRARY SPEAKS, by ELIZABETH WELTON LUMPKIN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LIBRARY SPEAKS, by                    
First Line: I stand upon my little hill
Last Line: My mission to fulfill.
Subject(s): Libraries & Librarians


I stand upon my little hill,
A mass of brick and stone,
And yet I am a vital thing
With a mission all my own.

I hold within my silent heart
A store of wisdom deep,
Which you, by reaching out your hands,
May have to use and keep.

And more than this I have at heart
A fond and deep desire
To be a help in anything
To which you may aspire.

I hold the best of everything
In History, Science, Art,
And stand in eager willingness
This knowledge to impart.

Men would forget the Great of yore
And all their valiant deeds;
So I will keep them on my shelf
For everyone who reads.

Discoveries of every age,
And tales from every land,
I have in language clear and plain
That all may understand.

Great Artists too, with brush and pen
In History took their parts
And gave me pictures, poems, prose,
The choicest of their arts.

But if you tire of lore so deep
And would relax the mind,
I have the choicest fiction
It is possible to find.

So you who view me as I stand,
Don't pass nor turn about,
For on my door, so near your path,
The latchstring will be out.

You who are growing old in years
Are cherished friends and dear,
And I will open wide my door
To bid you welcome here.

You have brought many volumes
To place upon my shelves,
And I know things that you have done
To make History, yourselves.

And middle-aged, who hurry on
With such a rushing pace,
Just drop your cares and read awhile
Beside my fireplace.

And children on your way to school --
A happy, careless throng --
I love to hear your laughter
And your bits of merry song.

But come inside! You're very young,
And life has just begun;
And I hold all your lessons,
All your fairy tales and fun.

So come as often as you can
And spend some time with me,
For you'll grow old as I grow old,
And lifelong friends we'll be.

So old and young, come gather here
Your leisure to beguile,
And I will furnish fact or fun
To make the time worth while.

And I will stand, year in, year out,
Upon my little hill.
Just use me, and give me the chance
My mission to fulfill.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net