The Score Of The Gate Poem by RIC BASTASA

i never counted it
it has escaped
the closing of the gate
and its opening
the heavy sound of the metal lock
the moment it slides again
to close
the episode of going

if i really have to note
how many left for good
and how many came
bringing hope
i know how scary shall it be

sometimes my fears
haunt me
those goodbyes without
promises
those leavings
untimely

i close the gate again
i listen to the sound of the locking
somehow i am glad
it is still the two of us
comforted
by our sense of
privacy