THE GATE

10 Comments

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  • Clarification

    Poem Commentary

    This story I leave to the reader's imagination. What does it mean to you?

    THE GATE
    I stood at the gate
       Head bowed
       Waiting...
       Eventually a face appeared
       Looking at me through the grate

    WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
           A voice asked
          I have killed no one
           I replied
    And the face disappeared

    WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
           Again the voice
          I have loved much
           This time the face smiled
       And disappeared

    Once more the face appeared
    WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
              I have hated injustice, I replied
       Dark eyes stared back
       And went away

    As I waited at the gate
    The face reappeared
    WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
          I have tried always to be kind
       The face smiled again and left

    But again the face
    WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
          I have tried always to tell the truth
       Again the face went away
       Still I waited

    WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
       And again I responded
          I have tried never to hurt     another
       When I looked up
       I was alone

    WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
          I took advantage of no one
       And I wondered if this was all some test
       As the face went away once more
       And I stood wondering what was next

    WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
       As I looked into stern eyes
          Every time I was cheated, I forgave
       I responded

    COME IN
      Said the voice - as the gate disappeared


       








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    Mau commented on THE GATE

    02-02-2011

    One can not love without forgiveness and one can not forgive without love. Just saying!!
    Reply to Comment

    FranzJ commented on THE GATE

    01-07-2011

    it seems to me your gate(mirror) was looking into your soul(the face)- a soul all should have
    Reply to Comment

    Stryx

    01/07/2011

    An astute response, Franz, thank you.

    Teardrops commented on THE GATE

    01-06-2011

    This poem is wonderful forgiveness is the blessing to give all . You have written a master piece . You give all the reasons to be human and to forgive . love the poem its a true winner Marie
    Reply to Comment

    Stryx

    01/06/2011

    Thank you dear M.

    Hampton commented on THE GATE

    01-01-2011

    Poetry with a punch. Great write WO.................................Hampton
    Reply to Comment

    Stryx

    01/01/2011

    Thank you Mr. H.

    RHPeat commented on THE GATE

    12-31-2010

    Heal thyself. We can only do that by forgiving all others. A wonderful poem that crimps my heart. A poet friend// RH Peat
    Reply to Comment

    Stryx

    12/31/2010

    I believe Forgiveness is the reason we are here. Not love, because we don't really knew its meaning.

    RHPeat

    12/31/2010

    It is difficult to know the meaning of the infinite. A poet friend/ RH Peat

    To have great poets there must be great audiences too.

    Walt Whitman, American Poet (1819-1892)

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