Volunteer

Every year I sign up for two afternoons of it.

Twice a week I get up and go. 

Volunteer.

Not out of some distant urge to help humanity

But because I like it.

Like shelving books by number and letter.

Like checking them in and checking them out.

Like the children who come to carry them away

And bring them back.

Some so they can get another.

Some for the prize of an eraser or bookmark

That they will never put in a book.

Twice a week I get up and go

Volunteer,

So I can play librarian with the children

Who come to be volunteered to.