Before The Door Poem by John Courtney

the world has stopped finally
and all eyes have gone silent
where a shadow drags itself
like a child's blanket
across a dark room
that won't leave

the world has finally stopped
but light still whispers through the cracks
on all sides of the heavy door
where wishes still grow from chances
that still grow in the full bellies
of lifetimes spent at maximum volumes
spent in speeding vehicles
spent in high schools
spent chasing prey, spent dancing, spent with loved ones
spent with feet dangling from the noose of expectation
spent with sore muscles, paying a water bill
spent putting socks on, putting pants on
spent finding someone to take them off
spent worrying about being remembered
by people
that won't be remembered
by people

the world has stopped on a dime
before the door
you should knock
you should open the door
you don't have to
that's the only thing left
that is beautiful
it will be gone too

that's the only thing that is beautiful