There you have it, the beginning of another episode of Dirty Poetry,

using the word poetry very loosely. This episode is couple of

stories about libraries and librarians. Before we get to the

goddesses who bring life to these hallowed halls, let’s give some

credit to the students and researchers who find their adventures back

in the stacks. Our first story is about a grad student who, in a haze

of exhaustion, discovers what she is really looking for.

Between The Pages by Z.S. Roe

That was Between The Pages written by Z.S. Roe who describes

himself as a book lover, a tea addict and by trade, a glass worker.

Z.S. Row is primarily a poet but nevertheless has 10 published short

stories, the latest being what Grew Before the Sun, which was

published in the Big Book of Orgasms, Volume 2 that came out in 2022.

For many of us who came from a time before there was an internet,

libraries were our window on the world. Like diving into an ocean,

there was always so much more to explore. They were all, large and

small, places that were cherished and revered. They were, and are,

populated by brilliant women. Brilliant women who work so hard at

being contained and proper. But to my eye, they are goddesses who

bring life to hallowed halls. And they are always so much more a

woman than their work allows them to be.

When I was young, I would travel to one of the great libraries,

sometimes several hours on a bus. There were statues by famous

artists at the entrance and great art hung in the halls. The main

reading room was huge, long and cavernous with a high arched and

vaulted ceiling. As you entered there was the scent of old books with

the promise of ancient knowledge for those who would dig. All of it,

free to the people. It was a hallowed and solemn place.

For a time, I would go there every week or two. The subject I was

interested in those days was propulsion units. This caught the

attention of a particular research librarian who set herself on the

hunt for me. I would stop by her desk to pick up her list of

references and the bundle of photocopies she had collected for me

from the latest journals and sometimes even restricted government

research. She was brilliant. And beautiful. When there was occasion

to come around the desk, I could catch the faint flowery springtime

perfume of my librarian mingled with the scent of fresh photocopies

copies on her desk. All of that with the bassnote of old books and

leather that permeated the place. Those memories have not faded.

I do have a confession though, it was not until very recently that

I realized that I am not the only one who has fantasies of the

Goddesses who inhabit libraries. I’m not the only one who thinks

intelligent women are sexy. Who knew? Joe Cocker sings ‘you can

leave your hat on’. Well, as far as I'm concerned, you can leave

your glasses on too. No doubt, the libraries were where my

fascination with intelligent women began.

And speaking of intelligent, interesting women. Our next story is

written by Susannah Indigo. Susanna Indigo is a character in her own

right. She is, and has been for many years, a very active and

prolific erotic short story author. She has edited many erotic short

story anthologies. She founded in 1998 the erotic literary journal

Clean Sheets, which, in it’s day, was a home to many great erotic

writers. She has since co-founded and is currently an editor at Slow

Trains, a general literary journal that covers a wide range of

subjects. Many of today's greatest writers have found a home there.

The next story that I have for you, I read years ago and it...