Who’s that behind the door?
She tries the knob but it will not give,
Because they are keeping it locked.
Leaning into the cold woodwork she whispers,
You can pin down my wings and feel my heart
Flutter against your calluses.
I will become a thorn in your skin
If that’s what you want,
But please let me see your face.
Who’s knocking now?
And she says in a voice clear like the rain,
No flowers grew this year,
And the children’s minds were stunted.
It was you and I know you did harm.
Those black and white photographs got the best of me,
I admit that,
But let me see your eyes.
Who rattles with the key ring?
Her bright eyes cloud with fear,
Because she hears glass breaking but she won’t stop.
It’s too late to stop.
She shouts,
I’ll kiss you if you open this door,
Honey everything with Daddy and Mommy and
You can keep me in a box with your necklaces.
Who turns the doorknob?
She tears at her clothes
And sobs into the keyhole,
I can feel your breath and it smell like the soup
My grandmother used to make.
If you open this door you can touch my hair,
I will become attracted to shiny clothes,
That’s what you want isn’t it?
Who swings the door outward?
The wood she has been leaning her whole body on
Gives way, she falls on her hands and knees.
Then looks up into the broken face of a child
She’d seen in the paper years ago,
Under the bold words LOST.
Behind the stunted figure
Is a door.
