The following post is part of a Seed Pod collaboration about libraries. Seed Pods are a SmallStack community project designed to help smaller publications lift each other up by publishing and cross-promoting around a common theme. We’re helping each other plant the seeds for growth!
Meet me in the library The most haunted in Portland To the cavernous halls Where the books become art Filled with moody bedlam Meet me in the library Great arches are watching You’re never alone With storytellers and ghosts The silence breathes loudly
The Heathman, old and New Built in 1927 Host to radio station KOIN And Paramount Concert Hall A beacon to the theater Bringing crowds from beyond
Known for 50 Shades of Grey The Mezzanine lights flicker Dining halls and galleries Her spiral staircase lingers Portland Center Stage art features
Meet me in the library Where we all mind our business Where those seen and not heard Are caught casting for riches Where the views are vicious And the words are delicious
Don’t look too closely Apparitions wander the halls And hide among the stacks Towels move, closets darken Room 703 attacks
2500 miles away A hurricane is brewing It swirls towards your home Threatening floods, threatening tears But you are safe here In the library We're out of luck Out of money, out of steam Need a break from everything 2700 signed copies right here Just get lost There’s nothing to fear In the library
Meet me in the library It’s ok to step away Place the world on hold Your mystery awaits In the library
This post was inspired by a recent stay with my sister at the haunted Heathman Hotel in Portland, Oregon. Naturally we had to stay at the most haunted hotel in Portland. While we were there, unfortunately Hurricane Debby was on course to hit her city in Florida. Flights were cancelled, and all we could do was take refuge in the Heathman library and wait for news of the storm.
Of course I had to write about the gorgeous library architecture, and this Seed Pod seemed like the perfect opportunity. I have no idea why I was drawn to poetry - I am certainly not a poet and I definitely know it. But the heart wants what it wants, I suppose. Thank you for humoring me.
There are so many awesome stories about libraries over on the SmallStack Seed Pod thread, so do be sure to check them out. I have provided a link at the bottom of this post.
A little business:
Next week I will be off frolicking in the New England fall foliage, haunting all the ghosts and witches. I will likely take a week off from Substack, so my next post will be Thursday October 3rd. Please don’t unsubscribe! I’m investigating several paranormal dream locations, including The Conjuring House, the USS Salem ship, and the Lizzie Borden house. I’ll have loads of spooky content for you when I return.
Feel free to send me a DM if you need anything or you can always email me at drearydendrophile@gmail.com. I’m always taking your haunted / hiking stories, so please send them my way. Thank you all for being here and for being amazing. This community is giving me life.
Hauntingly yours,
dreary dendrophile
Sources / More info about the Heathman Hotel:
Want to see more posts from this Seed Pod or join in on the fun? Head over to our thread to learn more!
If this post has stirred your spirit, let your presence be known by clicking the heart and restack icons, or by leaving a comment below. Your engagement can summon other wandering souls to this collection, and I am yearning to hear your haunted reflections. Thank you.
I've lived in the Portland area for years and had no idea that the Heathman Hotel was haunted OR that it has such an incredible library. My eyes have been opened!
I know you say you're not a poet, but I think you are based on the poem you just wrote in this article! Loved your poem, pictures and all the history about this hotel turned library!! Can't wait to read your articles from your fall foliage frolicking!! It's on my bucket list to be in the New England area for the fall. I can live vicariously through you for now....lol. Have fun!!