Closing Gates

I take care to close the pasture gate securely;
It keeps the sheep in and the pigs and dogs out.
Each day, I loop the wire over the two ends
And double check, give it a shake, look back and see
If it is fastened.
It’s my responsibility.
You never know, you know?
I may be the last one through for some time
It may be the last time I am through.
Who knows when the last time will be?
The last time you see your children
The last time you catch a snowflake on your tongue?
I didn’t use to think this way
About the small and ordinary
Along the course
The daily actions that are now my ritual and sacrament
I do them for you and for me
As we add to the whole.

 

 

Gates

Please close the gates after you pass through
The cows may wander too far from water
The horses may try to cross the river
And there is danger there
 
Please close the gates
It gives the passers-by a moment
To pause from their journey
Their one way day
Offering a chance to see and then reflect
Upon their home and their destination
 
Please close the gates
And even though you think and know
That you will be returning soon
That may not be so
And so the future is in your hands
 
Please close the gate
And as you do you
You bind an island for a moment in time
You hold secure
In this temporal world a place
Of safety
Define by both here and there
Of hello and goodbye
Of goodbye and hello.