In the Corridors of Your Presence

In the corridors of your presence
I find four heavy doors

Behind the first
If I want to make thoughts real
Can form the words
And can synchronize the throat
I do 

Behind the second
If I want to move
To soothe myself
With rhythm and repetition
I do

Finally now
Having spied through the keyhole
For a tiny glimpse of what hides beyond
I’ve gently started to open
The third door 

Tiptoeing with great trepidation
So patiently waiting for me
Is where one goes to learn
To just be
To meet the other sides of themselves  
Here is one who will sit with me 
If it all goes south

It’s starting to happen

It’s finally happening
I’m finally learning
If I need to feel
Here, with tiny cautious steps
I do

I think I’ll stay here for a while
The fourth door hides smothering black
And is so much more frightening
Yes
Yes
I think I will try to stay here for a while 

If it becomes too difficult here
There’s respite to be found
In retreat to the first two
Before trying again 

Finding comfort enough to be me
In pieces at a time 
Behind these rich mahogany doors
In the corridors of your presence
Moving between rooms
Until the knobs will no longer turn
The keys no longer fit 
And I’m forced to move forward
Through the only door yet untried

.

May 18, 2025