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 © | Year Posted 2014


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