The Door
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Poetry
The Door
•
they are soft
irregular
unsure
but I hear them
I can feel them in my bones
they sear my flesh
scorch my chest
turn sour in my mouth
now the measured pace
cruel lust
quickening
cushioned by the hall runner
menacing footfalls
drawing near
I inhale
shiver
stiffen
my heart pounds
blood roars
deafening
in this dark dangerous silence
but still
the ever-stalking steps
the predatory cadence
I’m pressed by fear
by guilt
by shame
deep under these covers
into this mattress
not breathing
not moving
I pray
play dead
wishing I were
please
not tonight
it will not be tonight
never again
through bitter tears
I silently swear
never again
the pacing stops
the beast is at my door
I gasp
suck in my final breath
of desperate courage
never again
I feel the smooth handle
secure in my hand
the steel edge
unreflecting undercover
now
familiar sounds
burn into my soul
a doorknob
turns
a doorbolt
slides
a doorhinge
opens
horrific resolve
tightens my grip
coils my strength
a doorway
violated
never again
…
rob kistner © 2007
September 6th, 2007 at 7:24 am
Wow Rob! What an impacting poem so filled with tension! Your word give an incredible imagery to it!
September 6th, 2007 at 8:58 am
I never thought that door had so many nuances to it. It made such a beautiful read.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:41 am
You were giving me chills with imagery of the monster behind the door.
September 6th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
i held my breath through all of that
September 6th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
i cannot help but wonder… what exactly is a knock knock knocking at your door?????????
September 6th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Gilson -
I’m pleased it touched you.
It was penned from painful memory.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Gautami -
I am glad you were engaged.
September 7th, 2007 at 6:35 am
Tammy -
Believe me, as a young child, I found it terrifying as well — still can feel the fear.
_______
Kathryn -
Exhale… it’s passed.
_______
Paisley -
You do not want to know, know, no you don’t!
_______
Tammy / Kathryn / Paisley -
Thank you all for visiting.
I’m answering you together because my Image & Verse blog here is acting up again. Sadly, I will be opening a temporary “Image & Verse Too” until I can get the ghosts worked out of this one. It’s proving quite a challenge.
September 9th, 2007 at 5:53 am
That is creepy. I hope she gets the guy good…LOL
Very suspenseful, held me to the very end!
September 9th, 2007 at 6:30 am
Jennifer -
It has a happy ending, though it was a struggle to get there…
September 22nd, 2007 at 5:38 am
Rob,
Your poem is very moving, very powerful, and to me feels very intimate and personal. Beautifully written!
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa
October 7th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
I liked this very much. It really caught my attention. It was real to me and it gave me the emotion, the suspense. It ended with a mystery of what exactly happened. But that left the window open for many possibilities, it could mean many things, it could mean something different for each of us. I know what it means to me.
October 7th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Lisa -
Thank you! It was very personal.
Anna -
You are most kind…
The mystery was certainly intentional. I’m pleased it drew you in.
October 12th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Hi Rob,
I’d like to invite you to the new new weekly poetry prompt site at
Totally Optional Prompts
Stop by and check it out!