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

    When power leads man towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.

    John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) Thirty-fifth President of the USA

    Stryx’s Poems (203)

    Title Comments Submitted
    Title Comments Submitted
    THE OLD SONGS 4 01/23/2011
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    24 - 7 15 07/24/2010
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    The Niner 11 06/08/2010
    Small - bent and mighty 9 06/08/2010
    Crime and Belief 7 06/05/2010
    What If... 6 05/31/2010
    THE CONCORD CARRIAGE 5 05/30/2010
    THE LAST CIGARETTE 7 05/30/2010
    The Light 6 05/24/2010
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    THE ART OF NOT LEARNING 5 01/10/2010
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    Where are they? 3 01/04/2010
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