LIBRARIANS

It took Borges less than half Eternity

To catalogue the Infinite Library

Even allowing for coffee breaks,

Alcohol breaks, cigarette breaks,

Afternoon sitting in the sun breaks

And long walks with Pierre Menard

And the Tichborne Claimant.

“I could have done it quicker,” he told

A seminar of angels who, in his honor,

Conjured themselves out of pauses,

Questions and respectful silences,

“Had Homer and Milton not assisted

But they would not be put off.”

 “Are they,” a seraph signed,

More blind, then, than you?”

“No,” said Borges, “but I am blind

In Spanish; the work goes faster.”