Shakespeare and the Company:

A kitten, book-smitten,

naps on the second floor and

a lonely typewriter sits there, too,

surrounded by bookshelves,

waiting on Sylvia Beach

or James Joyce

or any of the long-gone friends

to return.

 

Livraria Lello:

There are no kittens here,

instead, there are swarms of people,

desperate to take a peek at

the most beautiful of all

in the world.

 

Livraria Bertrand:

A treasure trove of books,

established in 1732.

Now, a mecca for writers, readers,

and dreamers from all over the world.