a child again
front door opens
an ornamental carving
made of oak painted barn red
stained glass eyes
cloudy & invariably blue
welcoming
once inside
curtains rise & drapes open
gardens & courtyards
and disappearing slides
a library above
a darkroom below
little people handing out tickets
to the mystery show
there’s no turning back now
you take a ticket
slip it into your pocket vest
and take your place in line
as if a child again
june two thousand twenty-two
copyright j matthew waters
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