By Johan Jönsson

The librarian
sits in his corner
sipping his whisky
reading

Every now and then
the pages turn
and a hairy leg or venom-dripping fang
tries to get out

He shuts the book closed
wraps a heavy chain around it
and puts it back among the other books
rustling uneasily

The librarian waits
until the rattle has stopped
then pours himself another whisky
and starts reading again