What Am I?
Lindsay Jane Doley
I welcome hundreds of people
from all walks of life through my doors every day.
I have something for almost everyone.
There are countless treasures within my walls.
You can learn many things
when you come to visit or be entertained.
You can come with friends, family
or simply by yourself and feel safe and comfortable.
I’m a hive of activity, yet also calm and tranquil.
I am staffed by friendly helpful people.
I’ve heard that I’m quite popular with teenagers.
Who’d have thought?
Don’t underestimate your teenagers.
You can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee here,
yet I’m not a cafe.
You’d need to bring your own cake or biscuits,
which you are very welcome to do.
I have panoramic windows with great views
of lovely parks or gardens outside.
Perfect for people and dog watching.
I often host wonderful, eclectic exhibitions.
I think many of you might have guessed already.
I am your very own public library,
found wherever you live.
Beds Hard and Soft
Geoff Graetz
Beds I slept in when I was young
some were lumpy and badly sprung
they formed hollows into which I rolled
many times, I put my sleep on hold.
In youth I slept on church hall floors
which felt like tops of rocky tors.
with only a sleeping bag for cushioning
those were days I slept on anything.
Many hot nights I slept on backyard lawn
under the stars without a yawn
until I heard the mosquito whine
pulled a sheet on just in time.
As air cadet on survival exercise
snoozing on farmer’s straw was my prize
up at dawn and on my way
best sleep I had for many a day.
On tenting trip, camp stretcher for my rest
Grampians stay was the best.
we woke to the Kookaburra’s laugh
ready to walk the mountain path.
Once on sailing ship, in bunk below
cabin stuffy and bed too narrow
but, returning to my comfy home
I enjoyed my bed without a groan.
Best Foot
Amanda Solly
When you were a fattened pudding, glossy and carefree, Monk was ever by your side. Soft plush toy, hugged round the neck made day sleeps comfy and tears fade away. With his preferred pink monkey mit slid carefully between middle and ring finger you gently caressed his fur with your thumb. And if he slid from your lap into the footwell on road trips, the wail of ‘best foot!’ permeated the car. So deep was your love for this sacred stuffed friend that your dad and I still use it as a term of endearment today. ‘You’re my best foot’ is the highest of compliments.