The Door

The Door 

Before me there is a door
With a rusty wooden handle
I feel like I've stood here before
Like a stoic vandal

The smell of moisture hits me
Like a rotting decay
Should I reach for the knob
Or stay away

On the other side there's history
Like a trunk full of memories
A whole damn story
But you have to pick out a few fleas

I stand rooted to the Earth
Not knowing what to do
From the moment of birth
I was still part of you

I feel my hand outstretch
But dear God I'm scared
I'm afraid that there might be a catch
Or the feelings might not be shared

I'm scared of backsliding
Or feeling inadequate
This wild horse I'm riding
Doesn't mean shit

Could I rewrite history
And fix the bitterness
Time does fade slowly
There's nothing I want to miss

I don't want any regrets
Or blackness inside me
But the world pays its bets
And life turns to insanity

I twist the knob slowly
And open the door carefully this time
I remove all the weeds to see
And cut away each vine

When I open my eyes I see beauty
Surrounded by a lot of pain
I'll set our bond free
If you help me unlock the chain

A.D. Small
August 16, 2023