“Can I return these please?”, she inquires,

As book after book appears from a tote bag

“How much to use the photocopier?”, he asks,

As he brandishes old newspapers and a 50p

“Please may I book a carrel, for 4pm?” they request

As they fidget with the straps of a too heavy rucksack

I overheard these words in the library as I sat Whispered demands & casual courtesy

Obliged by its custodians just like that

in a kingdom of analogue industry

In a manner so practical & practiced

You’d think this was a ballet rehearsed

and not just a subsidised service