Closets
People tell me stories.
Mostly their own.
How her beloved came out
as trans, and how she left him
her. And how s/he wants
to be friends, and how she can’t.
How her husband was a serial cheat
unfaithful with her best friend.
How her own sister
had to tell him no.
And I wonder: am I a kind of closet?
As they offer me their stories
is it a kind of coming out?
Requiring trust, and a doorway
opening into sharing…?
What is it about closets, anyway?
That we place our secrets deep
within them, that walking out
of them is a declaration
a kind of freeing.
And am I a kind of doorknob..?
Following your musings, I caught myself nodding, and then I laughed outright with your final question, “And am I a kind of doorknob?”
This is also extends tender consideration people unique, brave decisions during an extraordinary time. It reveals compassion.
Thank you, Jan. 😊
Love ‘am I some kind of closet,’ all the secrets divulged. Not to mention, of course, your hilarious opening about the cat. So much mixed in here – humor, compassion, philosophy, life … Wonderful. Thanks so much – and good to read you again!
Oh, I love this…your musings and questioning if you are indeed a closet because of the confidences that you hold-brilliant! I also giggled at the last line too…Am I a doorknob-lol! Well done!!! Thanks for adding in the humour 🙂
Love it, especially the last line!
Thank you!
This is wonderful. So many layers here! Really incredible!
Thank you!
Ohhh I relate to this so much!
Thank you!
oh wow! I loved it!- doornob? yes!
Agree with the previous comments and can relate to this poem completely… It says a lot about you that so many people can trust you and the notion of how that may be a closeting of sorts – the secrets held… I love your take on this prompt and the exploration of trust and doorways in/out… the freeing… yes!
Oh my loved 🥰 reading this a beautiful story that flowed I didn’t want to stop.