Librarian

Guelph: driving along Speedvale Avenue this morning


Marian wants a summer job next year (she'll be fourteen). She loves books and would like to work in a bookstore, or even better, a library. I recommended starting with a bookstore. An older cousin works in one in Lindsay; I suggested talking to her and perhaps asking to meet the manager. Any career advice? queenmomcat?

Marian the librarian.

I know. I used to sing that song to her.

As a toddler she had a more choleric disposition, a feverish determination unrecognizable in either of her parents. When she was bent on doing something, it was a challenge just getting her attention. So I would sing.

Funny how she has calmed down, but still with as much determination as ever to be her own person and not let anyone, even her peers, tell her what should be important to her. But she seems to have found teachers who inspire her to apply herself. She's in grade nine and getting nineties. I'm so proud of her. But then, I was proud of her a year ago when she hated school.

In other news, she tells me she has buzzed her head, all except the bangs, which are dyed green and black.

What can I do, my dear, to catch your ear?
I love you madly, madly, madam librarian, Marian
Heaven help us if the library caught on fire
And the volunteer hose brigade men
Had to whisper the news to Marian, madam librarian

What can I do, my dear, to make it clear?
I need you badly, badly, madam librarian, Marian
If I stumbled and I busted my whatchamacallit
I could lie on your floor unnoticed
'til my body had turned to carrion
Madam librarian

Now in the moonlight a man could sing it
In the moonlight
And a fella would know that his darlin'
Had heard every word of his song
With the moonlight helping along

But when I try in here to tell you dear
I love you madly, madly, madam librarian, Marian
It's a long lost cause, I can never win
For the civilized world accepts as unforgivable sin
Any talking out loud with any librarian
Such as Marian, madam librarian

©1957, M. Willson