Bench for Sitting Only

By SHARON MAST

Dear Diary:

Inspired by a sign above a bench outside the New York Public Library's Kingsbridge branch.

Outside the library,
a sign proclaims:
“BENCH FOR SITTING ONLY.”
Not for dancing on?
Not for shouting from?
Not for bouncing balls against?
Or any other creative use thereof?
No.
The real message is:
“While books beyond this sign
may warm, chill, or unsettle you,
this barely molded gray stone
will not comfort you.
If weariness should overcome you
and you lack
the wherewithal to
go horizontal elsewhere:
Rest. Not. Here.
A public space
has no truck with
private woes.”
Or so this community resource story goes.