A to B, I walked. Nothing special, nothing extraordinary. When I heard the singing, that reminder of my youth, coming from the stained glass. Old melodies I remembered, nothing like the noise I heard just minutes before. It brought me back to everything I had known and never questioned, had understood without deducting. I went up the seven concrete steps to be a part of the chorus; to be included in the hopes of the future. I touched the brass knob of the old wooden door and pulled, but it did not give way for me. This inviting group had turned their back on the rest, on those they are here to save. They are they and I am I, they must claim in their hearts. They see my companions and judge; they stare without constraint, because those I am with are of a different breed. The mutt you see at the concrete circus, the animal with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on his arm, the dogs who are never allowed to go inside until they are broken. These brutes have teeth that appear sharp to the group, so they lock the doors.
Unlock the doors.
-Grady Poortinga
Unlock the doors.
-Grady Poortinga
Comment:
I really liked this! I always feel awkward sharing my interpretation of a poem to the author but here goes. I first interpreted this poem literately, thinking that you were walking by a church or a choir and thought it would be nice to go inside, but the doors were locked. Then, I remembered what O'Connell said, and focused on finding the figurative meaning. I interpret this poem as, you remembering going to church as a child and were flooded with confusing feelings of the past. I loved when you said, " It brought me back to everything I had known and never questioned, had understood without deducting." I went to church as a child, and I can really relate to this feeling. Then you go on to talk about how the doors don't open. I interpreted the as the church rejecting you because of the people you hang out with. This is probably way off but I really enjoyed relating to it. Thanks for sharing!
Kylee Berlin
I really liked this! I always feel awkward sharing my interpretation of a poem to the author but here goes. I first interpreted this poem literately, thinking that you were walking by a church or a choir and thought it would be nice to go inside, but the doors were locked. Then, I remembered what O'Connell said, and focused on finding the figurative meaning. I interpret this poem as, you remembering going to church as a child and were flooded with confusing feelings of the past. I loved when you said, " It brought me back to everything I had known and never questioned, had understood without deducting." I went to church as a child, and I can really relate to this feeling. Then you go on to talk about how the doors don't open. I interpreted the as the church rejecting you because of the people you hang out with. This is probably way off but I really enjoyed relating to it. Thanks for sharing!
Kylee Berlin