The door
The door would not close.
I had tried for years
to close it behind me.
So like me, to fill a room
too full, to keep too many
useless things, to fear
pardoning the ghosts.
I pressed my hands against
the door. I shoved. I used
all my weight, as well as
the weight of all my wishing.
Then, love,
you came along and placed
your perfect paver's hand
on top of mine.
The door closed beneath my palm.
A quiet, solid click of the latch.
No slamming, no straining,
no groaning of the hinges,
no splintering of wood.
The door closed.
The door stayed closed.
And all at once there
was nothing more to do
but turn to meet the warmth
of your golden-sweet smile.
I have exactly one callus
to show for my prior efforts,
right at the base of my
left ring finger.
I would show it to you,
but I don't want to let go
of your hand.