a hygrometer

a single strand of horsehair inside a paper case, tightening and loosening with the breath of the building. it sits on the third shelf of the library alcove, where the damp from the river has been quietly known for a century.

the librarian used to consult it before deciding which shelves to air; the librarian is now consulted by it. on certain days it agrees with the door-frames before the door-frames agree with themselves.

field-note · 74 % · in the damp band. the river is high and the mist has not entirely left the corridor.

fog · mist · thermometer · library · rain gauge