Library Labor / by Brian Kunde

Library Labor
by Brian Kunde

The labor of the library in which we are employed
May sometimes seem a bit deficient in utility,
But if it does, be circumspect; we tend to get annoyed
Whenever what we do is likened to futility.

If what you see looks little, it’s a fraction of a whole
Much greater than you know, or may appear to one who spies
On any single person’s seeming minuscule role:
For those who take a broader view, it shows another guise.

Our efforts build on those of those who labored here before,
Accumulating slowly, like the knowledge we revere,
Correcting and improving any part remaining poor,
Until we reach perfection, or approach it pretty near.

And if perchance some portion doesn’t measure up, don’t worry:
The workers who will follow us will fix it — no big hurry!

* * * * *

Library Labor

from Bibliotec(hnic)a : Poems, Sep. 24, 2013.
An earlier version appeared in
SUL News Notes, Vol. 3, no. 24, Jul. 1, 1994.

1st web edition posted 5/15/2014.