Inscription for the Door - Eugene Ruggles

[Larry Robinson]

Inscription for the Door

I have no enemies left,
only some friends who are late.
Come in, hang your coat
beside the fire and pull a chair to its edge.
We shall drink tea and clear the path
leading back to the heart’s first address.
You may have news of these nations beginning
at last to revolve beside each other like seasons
or word of the fires out of control south of us,
where the poor are burning the lies keeping them poor.
Why are those three ragged strangers still kneeling
Over their ashes, invite them, bring them in,
they can rest here beside this oven of bread.
Children sleep in the corners, taking notes.
A woman is dressing in the room overhead,
her footsteps are tablets I open to sleep.
The new wind is full of branches tonight,
Leaving no holes in the darkness.
Enter. I have no enemies left any more,
Only some friends who are late.

	- Eugene Ruggles