Seeing the skies of Presque Isle in the end of August brings a magical view from the windows of the library. As the days grow shorter and sunset creeps its way closer to align with our closing time, the hot and bright 7 p.m. hour transitions itself over to slight breezes and grabbing a jacket when going out for the evening.
At times, the lighthearted swell of hot air balloons can be perfectly observed from the top floor along the horizon line. It’s during these moments, as I’ve locked up for the evening and shut off the lights, that I feel grateful for such a gift as time to stand and watch. To have time to reflect — to take in the end of summer’s air and think of warmth so fleeting — fills me with a sense of awe. Our colorful gardens are losing their blooms, and the Earth is preparing itself for calm, for rest. A new season flies in on the wind, as it always has, and as it always will.
For a bit of reflection, I leave you to sit with an excerpt from E. E. Cummings’ “i carry your heart with me (i carry it in).”
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
On the subject of looking to the future, here’s a taste of what the library has in store over the coming season:
Saturday, Aug. 23, at 11:30 a.m. brings a celebration in the Pocket Park with The Secret Garden. This event is free and open to children of all ages.
In September, our annual Apple Party will take place yet again in the Children’s Library, with a date announcement coming soon.
On Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 6:30 p.m., we have an author event with Monica Wood, national bestselling author of “The One-in-a-Million Boy” and “How to Read a Book.”
In October, the Goblin Market returns for its second year! We’ll have more surprises in store, date TBD.
Elyse M. Kiehn is the deputy library director at the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle, and can be reached at 764-2571 or via email at ekiehn@presqueisleme.us.
