In the Library

I wrote this my second day of Poetry class (today). The prompt was to pick a place and write about taking a walk there. This is a little off topic, but it works. It's by no means polished, but if I ever feel the need to edit, I'll post the updated vers

Through the dusty halls I tread, all the leather volumes welcome me.  The musty smell is familiar and comforting.  I pass a shelf inhabited by all the greats.  Poe lives here, and Dickinson.  On to the thinner volumes, Austen and Bronte.  They all smile back at me, each pleading to be adopted.  I run my hand along their faces, my fingers tracing each groove.  Fluorescent lights beaming from above give them each a mysterious glow.

Moving on, I encounter those weird and wonderful masters.  Bradbury, Stephen King and Anne Rice all greet me in their eerie tones.  This is where I belong.  Before me I see my friends - the vampires, the Illustrated Man, the ghouls, the goblins, and the young heroes.  They embrace me, and I am lost, consumed by their pages.

                  ***

I am surrounded by dimly lit street lights in an alley where water drips carelessly from above and flows like a small pond into the gutter.  Rats the size of felines scurry in the dark, in search of any remnants of food they can scrounge.  A face paler than moonlight peers at me from the shadows.  I can only see half of the face, but I can see the crooked smile and the evil glint in the eye.  From there I am transported to the circus.  A calliope plays hauntingly, and I see various side shows all around me.  To my right, two young boys cower just out of sight of a man covered in tattoos.

Taking another step, I am in another land, very similar to our own, but not quite right.  The dirt is a deep red and the air is thin.  M lungs feel pinched, as if in a vice, and I struggle for breath.  A tall, thin creature appears before me, riding a hover craft.  His translucent skin looked so frail and thin like the wings of a moth, I felt he would crumble if I were to touch him.  As his black orbs stared deep into mine I thought, I've been here before...
With a sudden slamming motion, I've returned to my beloved shelves.

Reviews

[Gideon Jacob]

There was something slightly mysterious about this and for that I think it's good. Your description of your feelings during your time in the library was quite vivid and clear, easy to imagine and perceive. I also felt like the two descriptions in the latter half were done with specific books in mind? I just don't know what! And that's not the case then very good job because you made it all relevant! I enjoyed it. Kudos.

[RocketshipTammy]

This was a wonderful short piece to read. I love your diction and writing style in general. My only wish is that it was longer.