The Ateneo Grand Splendid

Balconies where applause once roared,

Now, shelves where countless tales are stored,

Red velvet curtains, silent now, 

To books, they humbly take a bow. 

Golden railings, chandeliers' glow,

Illuminate the worlds below, 

Where readers wander, lost in lore,

Through pages, hearts, and minds explore.

The stage, once set for drama's sway,

Now a café where thoughts relay, 

Aisles lined with wisdom's trove, 

Ancient scrolls and novels rove,

From classics to the modern day, 

A reader's haven, come what may.

El Ateneo, splendid indeed,

A sanctuary for hearts that read,

In your embrace, I find my muse. 

Among your shelves, my spirits cruise.

El Ateneo, grand and true,

The most beautiful bookstore I ever knew. 

Random Thoughts

20th May 2023

El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookshop

Buenos Aires

Argentina.