Monday, March 10, 2008

Last One Out Lock The Door

Death is like a door in a room.
We paint over it, even the knob,
so, it’s inconspicuous as can be.
If we can’t see the handle
we surely won’t open it by mistake.

We can nail boards from jamb to jamb,
add sophisticated locks that require a key,
a combination, and a dead bolt with hardened steel.
Security measures make us feel safe, except
in the pit of our stomach we know
it opens from the other side, locked or unlocked.

21 comments:

Janice Thomson said...

A real knock out Pat - poignant in every aspect and oh so true.

sage said...

Well heck, if I can't do anything about death, maybe I'll forget about going to the gym this afternoon...

Nice image of our futile human efforts to stave off death

Masago said...

...need to put up a "beware of dog" sign in the front yard (woops, that would require going out the door). :-)

Katie McKenna said...

So true Pat... death comes a knocking regardless.. I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

Inside our hands, outside our hearts said...

You really know your stuff Pat. I really like the truth in which you write.

Perfect.

T

Anonymous said...

Poignantly beautiful. No one is safe from death.

floots said...

sombre but oh so true
good one pat

J. Andrew Lockhart said...

I really like this!
(I hope you're alright. I've been hearing the news about the weather there.)

Kai said...

great one

Russell Ragsdale said...

There are really two types: the younger ones like you describe in this poem and the older ones who are already aware they are part way through the door but are going as slowly as they possibly can. Good one Pat!

dsnake1 said...

an honest look at a subject few will want to talk about.
like the imagery you painted.

Elena Horowitz-Brookes said...

Wow, Pat! I felt this in the pit of my stomach. It hits too close to home. There is so much truth to your words that it hurts. And you're right, the door does open from the "other side". Your writing here is a stroke of genius!.
All I can say is both thank you and ouch!

Crafty Green Poet said...

excellent, so true and so well put

sage said...

Hey Pat, you're missed, I pray all is well.

Bill said...

A worthy entry in a great allegorical tradition.

Anonymous said...

Superb commentary,images and comparisons. I always like how astute your observations are.

Death knocked at our door recently.
It's draining to keep it hidden or protect others who only want to hear of the "sunshiney aspects" of life. Your poem unlocked tears that still need to flow. Thank you, Pat.

Artistically,
Gel { * * }

trinitystar said...

HAPPY EASTER!

C... said...

Speaking of death, I think we both are thinking of it quite vividly.

iimagyne said...

wow, that was deep. death is something we can't defeat. well said

sage said...

Paul, sorry about your loss. I don't know if it would help, but if you drop me your email (email me at sagecoveredhills (at) gmail.com) I'll send an article I wrote a year ago about the loss of a good friend. blessings.

Anonymous said...

Very sobering in its truth and the helplessness we feel even peeking at the door, knob or no..:) This is one door that defies "Knock, knock" "Who's there?"