A Door Stands In My Way
a door stands in my way.
it is charmingly carved, vines curling
around the smooth lacquered edges.
still retaining the original hue of the wood
yet brighter now, gold shines from within
surrounded by the walls of the forest
hidden away from prying eyes, it seems
to flicker more in the shadows of afternoon sun
first cinnamon – then colors ripple across the caramel surface
till it is less like wood and more a faery-touched pool
mahogany, russet red, amber and umber
adorned with a copper knocker of a proud bird
spreading his free wings wide – a vision of who I could be
and I know some magnificent trove of treasure is waiting beyond
knowledge of what I have wanted since I could want
my hand reaches out, longing in every slender finger
the shining handle is so close – everything I yearn for
could be at my command.
but do I even dare? Could I even do it?
indecision burns every bold stroke of confidence
and the whispering sunlit forest burns too
quicker then I can stop it, smoldering fire turns to ash
ash to dust, and dust to darkness, and then –
a door stands in my way.
it is smooth steel, heavyset and towering
almost like stone, no imperfections to be seen
and through the murky darkness swirling around me
it is the only thing I know now.
one single line runs down it, ready to be pried open
and I could. I could push it open, smash it to bits
I could walk straight through it.
but – how could I? what lies beyond?
nothing but uncertainty and falsehood, maybe
a lone silver mirror with the glass in shards
reflecting everything I do not wish to see
reflecting the person I see in the door
who is blocking my path now. but still,
my memories – long since turned to ash – long gone
piece themselves back together
and I, standing there unable to go beyond
am the only one who has chained myself up.
hope peels back the veils of darkness
I could go running through it, heart pounding
and soaring, and dancing, and reaching,
and finally flying free through the glorious sky
I could.
so I do.
Copyright © Josephine Ck | Year Posted 2019
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