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.