If you come into the Library–and we certainly hope that you will–you will see this poem as part of our card catalog display.  A Library is a safe house for stories–not only those in the books or the films or the recordings.  They are for your stories, as well.  And we treasure your stories as much as every other we hold.  In that spirit, we invite you in to share your story, and to encounter the stories of other people–those whose experiences are similar to yours, and those whose life is nothing at all like yours.  

“Come Friends”, by Kamand Kojouri

Come, friends.
Come with your grief.
Come with your loss.
Carry all the pieces of your heart
and come sit with us.
Bring your disappointments
and your failures.
Bring your betrayals
and your masks.
We welcome you no matter
where you come from
and what you bring.
Come and join us
at the intersection of
acceptance and forgiveness
where you will find our
house of love.
Bring your empty cups
and we will have a feast.