Midnight Poetry: “The Gate”

The Gate
(William Haskins)

it occurred to me
that poetry is a gate;
and you might say
that’s a given,
considering we live in
a world, fenced and
narrow, harrowing
in its complexity,
seeking simplicity,
some gentle touch.

but what if instead
it led, not out of
the world to some
secret garden, but into
the pit of vipers, where
snipers and grifters
drift between violence
and silence, and
dare not to dream
that simple dream.

.

(Read more of William Haskins’ poetry here. His collection Sixty-Six is on sale now.)

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3 Responses to “Midnight Poetry: “The Gate””

  1. Jamie Mason Says:

    Yeah, I like this. Poetry as a much more a Lady-or-the-tiger door in a wall, than a guarantee of quick vacation for the soul.

    I don’t see any reason it should be assumed so benign.

    Very nice.

  2. Stew Says:

    I like this very much. The gate goes both ways. Fantastic work, William!

  3. Magdalen Says:

    Good stuff. Excellent internal rhyme scheme. My favorite pastime is swinging on that gate, especially when the hinges are well-greased and move effortlessly! Thanks for the ride.

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