The Lonely Red Door

The Lonely Red Door

I close my eyes, smile in my dream
This is where I want to be, comforting familiarity
Beautiful stone architecture, curved arches
Colorful banners, happy people at market.

The odd thing, from the corner of my eye
A door I've never seen, off to one side
Hidden deep in a corner, dust all around
Like no one has visited, odd for such a busy town.

A handsome couple walks into view, holding hands
Smiling at his love, affection obvious to all
Stop at a jeweler's table, I close my eyes.
He's putting on a simple show.

What is this cancer eating away at me?
This place brings me comfort, this is my dream!
Here I meet my faceless lover, I hold her hand!
Long nights of love, what is this coldness inside?

That lonely door, it calls to my heart
Who lives inside? Life is outside.  Come and take part.
I knock on the door, a smile on my lips.
The door slowly opens, a chill wind within.

Candles light the hall, but can't dispel the chill
Hand built cabinets, line one side of the hall
Books line the shelves, dusty volumes barely read
A lifetime's collection, someone's dream life.

The stone is amazing, granite polished smooth
Arches and doorways, exquisite details everywhere
Hand made candle holders, wall mounted for light
This house a dream, yet why is it so cold in here?

One open door at the end, yet not very inviting
Huge stone fireplace, a roaring fire inside
An old man sitting at a desk, writing something down
One of those old books that line his shelves.

Sparse gray hair, a blanket pulled tight
Trying to keep out the cold, but its a warm summer night.
Sits back in his chair, shivers and sighs
He was writing on the last page, the book of his life.

My eyes go wide, a wild gleam within
Those books have one name, one name on the spine
They are memories!  He's writing his own story.
I've wandered into this old man's life!

Wait, this is my dream, to mold how I wish!
I look closer, and close my eyes.
This man is me, these books are my story.
The lonely red door, and my lonely life.

I have lived in my dreams.
I didn't live my life.

The Pet

Wounded eyes, surprised by the pain
The master swings his hand again.
A loud yip, the pet falls to the floor
She stays down, and out of harm's way.

A master who's never happy, unless inflicting pain
Eyes bruised and beaten, out goes hope's flame.
A trip to the vet, fix the broken bones
The vet rolls his eyes. She tripped and fell off the porch.

The playful pup, enjoys a simple game
Anger flares, a bad day at work
She limps away, a new bruise for her tail wag
All she wants is his affection.

There isn't much hope left in this poor dog's eyes.
Its been beaten away, no gentle pat on the head
No room to run, a short chain, just for fun.

I hope this made you angry, to seethe with rage.
How could anyone abuse a pet in such a way?
Such a monster definitely does not deserve his life!
Would you be surprised if I tell you a secret?

This master is a loving husband, and the dog his beaten wife.

The Empty Chair

The Empty Chair

A simple smile, her wrinkled face

A love of sweets, such joy a piece of pie brings

Love of music, listen to her play

By the window every day, sitting in her chair.

Ever so slow, dignity stripped away

Sicker with each passing year, unnoticeable

 A fall, a broken hip, a hospital stay

 Still smiling, sitting in her chair.

Labored breath, sicker still

 So tired, dread floats in the air

 Decision made, familiar hospital run

 Soon she'll be home, happy in her chair.

Run for her nitro, already too late

 Terrible last breath, limp and gone

 That last anguished sound, a heart broken

 All I now see is her empty chair.

Father in the hospital, not again

A stroke, dignity ripped away

The man he was, crudely erased

Bound to a wheel chair, day after day.

Visit often, time not on his side

Some stay away, garbled words terrifying

Strong made weak, not the man they knew

Fear, a barricade at the front door.

If only they knew, that awful last breath

Push passed the regrets, and the fear

Unbearable weight, a painful sight

Another shadow and his empty wheel chair.

Poem - The Cage

I wrote this back in June, and it was the interplay between myself and a friend who had a familiar background.  I hope you enjoy it.

The Cage


Blackened and charred, bars closely fit
Rusted chains, heavy and strong
Golden lock, impossible to pic
Protecting the valuable package within.


Intelligent eyes, watch from the bars
Curiosity, life's ebb and flow on the darkened path
A visitor, plucking charred feathers
Old and obvious scars, drum beat heard.


Hammer of a smith, beat loud and strong
Listen to its song, heart of pain
Sorrow retold, weep at the agony
Why does it sing of its pain?


Wander over to the bars, peer out
Tortured heart. "Liar! Trickster!
One song, easy to sing
Sing another song! Show me your pain!"


"See my scars! The wounds still bleed!
Heart buried in my breast, feel the agony!
Feel the heat of hurt, the anguish of deception!"
Raven's cry, “Fear my need!”


New cadence, heart tearing croon
Love overflowing, not returned
Life's fading light, care till the end
Last agonizing breath, light extinguished.


Run from the door, a new song
Love betrayed, again and again
Pain stacked like cord wood, for all to see
Pitiful need, light the pyre.


A new song, a new tune
Darkness flees, a moonlit night
Desires re-ignited, hope alight
Not a funeral, a signal fire!


Scars not wounds, words on the chest
Ever flowing, new poems and stories
New dreams, a hopeful new song
See the fire, flames soaring higher.


“See my scars? Feel my pain?
Felt the desire, scorched by that flame!
Been played by that game, destroyed by lust!”
Raven's anger, “Earn my trust!”


Unrecognizable, features burned away
Visitor rises, flies into the night sky
Hunter in the night, “See my light.”
Raven's sorrow, familiar solitude.


A flap of blackened wings, lands outside
Peers within the cage, heart chained wings
“You left!”, accusation hurled like a stone
“Just touched the clouds, and tasted the sky.”


Raven's wings, beautiful unfurled
“Need to see the sky, smell the sun!
Open this cage, let me run!”
Visitor sighs, sadly shakes his head.

“The lock is meant to keep me out,
Not keep you in.”