At the center of the city,
Resting in honored place,
Stands the open-air library;

Buried within these low walls,
Row upon row of hefty tombs,
Filled with knowledge and wisdom;

Visitors speak in hushed tones,
Children must be silent,
No dogs allowed;

No sound or sign of joy
Permitted in this hallowed place,
Lest the fallen leaves be disturbed;

The air is often heavy
With dark clouds roaming,
And rain falls frequently;

If only the library
Could be more like the park,
Full of life and laughter;

People talking freely,
Children playing,
Dogs chasing tennis *****;

More people would visit,
And those dusty old tombs
Needn't be quite so lonely.