by the open door

these are the laws with which all must comply

within the bounds not just of this one state

but under all the norms of human freight

as though we were not only passing by

like winter birds up in the cloudless sky

each on its way towards a waiting mate

with certain knowledge of the coming date

true clarity of vision in each eye

so duty comes upon us and we weep

for all those moments when we could not stand

in proper place right by the open door

where ordinary watchers just might keep

a welcome jug of water close to hand

and for the hungry perhaps something more