Ms Arthur
leads us into the library
and says
we have ten minutes
to choose a book to borrow
and
we can choose any book we like
including the comics
or
a picture book
or
a graphic novel
or
even just a magazine
but, she says,
we’re not allowed
to choose poetry.
She points to the back wall
where the poetry is filed
under non-fiction .821
and she repeats
any book but poetry.
When we line up
to leave the library
I notice
Selina, Mick, Alex,
Rachel, Pete
and even Cameron
have chosen poetry books.
Ms Arthur checks out
each book
without saying a word,
a satisfied look on her face.