I have always imagined that Paradise
will be a kind of library. - Jorge Luis Borges

The Long Room
They raised the roof and roofbeams,
made room for more books.
Shelves, like stairs to Paradise

Scriptorium, folio 124
Elsewhere, centuries ago,
a young monk
leans over his work -
with goose-feather pen
and oak-apple ink.
In scarce window light
makes careful copy:
TUNC CRUCIFIXERANT…
then were crucified with him
two thieves -
recalling you too
will be with me in Paradise.

Cabinet Holding
You and I move alongside
the lit cabinet glass,
inspecting every angle
of its single page display.
In queue, inching forward,
next to the man
from Buenos Aires.
But none came like you,
your lined notebook,
and sharpened pencil.
In low reverent light
you copy out the Latin text.

Louise C Callaghan’s latest book, Bee, I Am Expecting You: New & Selected Poems, is due for publication soon from Salmon Poetry.