On Life's Doorstep
On life’s doorstep we stand alone
At its mercy like an abundant orphan
Frantic yanks on the lock and chain
To escape our fear of the unknown
On life’s doorstep there’s no welcome home mat
Desperate bare knuckled knocks dissipate
The door’s fortified, shaped like a tombstone
Embedded in a six-foot deep foundation
The doorknocker ‘s out of reach
Life’s shut and we struggle for every inch
On this doorstep we feel like an unwelcome stranger
An unexpected guest, forbidden, never to entre
We await our turn in the long queue
Many fall off the edge before their cue
Some pick the lock trying to cheat
Quickly reminded that this life has no shortcut
Wondering if our DNA isn’t the code to access
If our talent isn't the key that will unlock our success
Before the descend of the drawbridge
And we’re crushed in the stampede
In this neighbourhood there’s nothing familiar
We guess the address there’s no house number
Out of a thousand doors this one shows the most promise
We patiently knock and callout to whomever may answer
We hope life’s looking through the peephole
Before our past pulls us into the abysmal
That mercy’s the hinges that will swing the door open
Turn the doorknob before the neighbours complain
Copyright © Thabang Ngoma | Year Posted 2014
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