The Door

We hide inside
and lock the door
but slip the key
outside

expectant then
we wait and pray
that some or one
will find

the clue

and fit
the key to turn
the lock and push
the door

to fling it wide
to tear it down
that door we built
or bought

and closed and locked
from need—from a
necessity
inside

a need we feel
but can’t define
like air we breathe
or die

and so we hide
and lock the door
but slip the key
outside

J. Janda