April 24, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Local Fiction & Poetry Edition

Neglected Gate
by RUTH STEHLE, Flourtown

You stand dejected,

Like a bent old man —

Your hinges creaking

Like his tired bones.

Wild, tall grass and

Knarling branches

Hang from you as

Though you need a shave.

            (What glad feet once

            Merrily tripped up

              The path to which you lead?

              What once cheery smile

              Greeted those

              Who entered through?)

Now, like an old man’s

Skin, your paint is

Wrinkled, colorless