Nantucket Atheneum (founded 1834)
Two tall fluted columns
Iconic might of golden days, impress
As one steps through
To open massive doors –
Breadth of self diminished.
Those with roles within
Like all before
Gladly handle any quest
with knowing ease –
Sole aim to plenish.
Displayed, a visual expanse
of island’s broad beamed draft
Hardbacks stagger centuries
Scrimshaw engrave an era
Paintings peer their ages
Sculptures shade the past.
A darling, walled figurehead
Reminds the day
Ship captains fathomed away
On discourses –
the Atheneum charted.
Today’s islanders do recall –
The first librarian Maria Mitchell –
A lifelong learner beyond the stars
Here Frederick Douglas let loose his words –
Yet he himself a runaway slave
An American Scholar, Ralph Waldo Emerson –
Liberally, betimes, orated the masses
In Great Hall, Henry David Thoreau, at lectrum asked –
What shall it profit a man if he gain
The whole world and lose his own soul
Calm air of remaining true
Reflects from lined out haul
of illuminating books
Long used and new –
Each a voyage on it’s shelf.
Perused at will, daring plots
Far-reaching to enthrall
Let run to fruition
Or cast aside –
No matter, no need for sail.
Landed we are
At times astray
Inside this towering hold
of Humanities delights –
Safe anchorage is the cheer.
Netted in this main mast
of island watch
A constant beat
The rush of being –
Is chasing valiant dreams.