The Door

The Door

•

they are soft
irregular
unsure

but I hear them

I can feel them in my bones
they sear my flesh
scorch my chest
turn sour in my mouth

now the measured pace

cruel lust
quickening
cushioned by the hall runner

menacing footfalls
drawing near

I inhale
shiver
stiffen

my heart pounds
blood roars

deafening
in this dark dangerous silence

but still
the ever-stalking steps
the predatory cadence

I’m pressed by fear
by guilt
by shame
deep under these covers
into this mattress

not breathing
not moving

I pray

play dead
wishing I were

please
not tonight
it will not be tonight

never again

through bitter tears
I silently swear

never again

the pacing stops
the beast is at my door

I gasp
suck in my final breath
of desperate courage

never again

I feel the smooth handle
secure in my hand
the steel edge
unreflecting undercover

now

familiar sounds
burn into my soul

a doorknob
turns
a doorbolt
slides
a doorhinge
opens

horrific resolve
tightens my grip
coils my strength

a doorway
violated

never again

…

rob kistner © 2007

14 thoughts on “The Door”

  1. Tammy

    Believe me, as a young child, I found it terrifying as well — still can feel the fear.

    _______

    Kathryn

    Exhale… it’s passed.

    _______

    Paisley

    You do not want to know, know, no you don’t!

    _______

    Tammy / Kathryn / Paisley

    Thank you all for visiting. 😉

    I’m answering you together because my Image & Verse blog here is acting up again. Sadly, I will be opening a temporary “Image & Verse Too” until I can get the ghosts worked out of this one. It’s proving quite a challenge.

  2. I liked this very much. It really caught my attention. It was real to me and it gave me the emotion, the suspense. It ended with a mystery of what exactly happened. But that left the window open for many possibilities, it could mean many things, it could mean something different for each of us. I know what it means to me.

  3. Lisa

    Thank you! It was very personal.

    Anna

    You are most kind… 😉

    The mystery was certainly intentional. I’m pleased it drew you in.

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