Edge of the Gate

Edge of the Gate

Standing at the gate
at the end of a narrow strip;
heart beating: twice its rate
clenching in his hands a small papyrus slip.

At the end of a narrow strip,
a dark-eyed child, barely eight,
clenching in his hands a small papyrus slip:
tender arms stretched, he knocks, knocks at the gate.

This dark-eyed child, of barely eight:
waiting quietly, a quivering lip,
tender arms stretched, he knocks (knocks) at the gate...
Standing at the edge, he meets the end of his trip.

Waiting quietly, a quivering lip,
--and bearing the burden of a heavy fate--
standing at the edge, he meets the end of his trip:
his hands eagerly waiting the end of their clenching state.

Bearing the burden of a heavy fate,
heart racing: twice its rate
his hands eagerly waiting the end of their clenching state.
...Still standing at the edge of the gate...

August 14th, 2007
Collaboration