This library is dead silent except for one echoing, raspy snore floating up from the ground floor. Each time I look up from my books, I see a punitive notice:
“The Library has received many complaints from user about graffiti in the study spaces… If you are aware of someone who is defacing Library property in this way, please contact the building manager.”
Someone has scrawled on it “SNITCHES GET STITCHES.”
The UMass library hummed until late. Real late. But it’s hard for a library to hum when the café closes at 8, when you have to leave the library entirely just to use the bathroom.
This seems like a strange thing to say, but I miss all-nighters in the first-floor silent zone at UMass. May was a time of purpose, of culmination, of pushing beyond the limit – but knowing Joe Meloni would be there even longer than I would. And at least there, I could look forward to a gorgeous view of the sunrise.
But this is what I get, I suppose, for 3 ½ study-less weeks in Cape Town. Worth it? Yes.
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1 comment:
Haha, I'm glad I never had to do that in my four years at UMass. Call me lucky, I guess.
I do miss desperately rounding every book available in the library on a broad subject - like say, the crusades - before everybody else in your history lecture who has been assigned the same research paper topic as you. Nothing like getting on your hands and knees to scrounge for a torn copy of William of Tyre's 12th century recording of the third crusade.
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