A dozen or so ways of looking at a door
(Someone go and see who’s knocking.)

by Malcolm Lawrence

1. The Dutch door blew open
with warm smells of gingerbread
and bouillabaisse simmering
between Cat Stevens on the stereo
and sympathetic rain on the bay window
for me.

2. The nursery,
the career,
the rest home.
(Please shut the door behind you.)

3. Don’t lean on the handle; it hurts.
Don’t kick, if it doesn’t open at once.
Putting a window in will shatter it;
Mistletoe on top ruins the effect.
Think of it as a crypt:
Let your fears seep through the hinges.

Thou shalt be afraid of the other side.


4. Sitting in a threshold
waiting to be married
Both sides look the same
Why is there a door?


5. 1 bilateral door
2 cups minced doorknobs
2 tsp. Sliced hinges
1 tbs. brass knockers
dash of doornail
pinch of ‘jamb

Puree ingredients in 10 in. bowl
for 12-15 min., pausing occasionally
if doorbell rings.

6. She didn’t know what else to say.
four years with him was an emotional strain.
Tears melted on her cheeks as he lip
synched another sob story. But all
she said to herself was "Dump him.
Go ahead and dump him this time."
She picked up her destiny and make-up kit
and marched reluctantly out the door;
stopping by the elevator to cry.
Coming home from work the next day,
he saw her cute little fanny in the doorknob.

7. This is high school,
that is the real world.
Open the vault for me.

8. When the summer closes behind you,
and frosted mornings swing open with a slap;
Hold onto my arm and
start singing about fuchsias.
I’ll hold the door open
for you.

9. Right-handed doorknob.
Left-handed man.
Get used to it.

10. Con Pro
Go around Go through
Go over
Go under
Go across
Go between
Go alongside

11. When the gallery
opens into the double-doors,
and turnstiles spin
with the tide.
The eye becomes
quicker than the hand,
and the ostrich refuses to hid.
If the grocers forget to
hose down the vegetables,
and the apocalypse arrives
twenty-five minutes late.
Don’t throw a cross around
my neck as the trial begins,
When you see me in the bleachers
sitting on the gate.

12. Q: When is a door not a door?

A: When it’s ajar.

13. The week stretched to a fortnight,
and thoughts of next fall buried the summer.
He lowered his head and
darted across the threshold.
Tipping the doorman
with his right hand.

There were door prizes
after all.

April 19, 1981

Jim gave us "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Crow" by Dennis Lucas as inspiration.