Instructions for The House Nobody Knows
for carrying grief through a strange house
Touch a door that does not claim importance.
Knock once.
If nobody answers, enter anyway.
*
Bring nothing shiny.
Bring nothing meant for trade.
Grief dislikes bargaining.
*
Pass rooms holding voices left behind.
Some speak hunger.
Give bread.
Some speak filth.
Give water.
Some speak hurt.
Stay near until breathing steadies.
*
Continue onward.
Paths will narrow.
Names may pull at your sleeves.
Do not follow names.
*
A field waits ahead.
Dark animals watch.
They know routes.
Let them walk near, never ahead.
*
If a woman asks memory, give memory.
If a child asks truth, give truth only once.
If an old man asks story, listen longer than you want.
*
Water blocks travel.
Cross slowly.
Do not boast.
Do not confess.
Silence pays fare.
*
Something watches from above.
If gift offered, accept.
Keep it hidden.
Every gift carries cost later.
*
Grief teaches uneven lessons.
Giants fall asleep during confidence.
Hunters miss targets while bragging.
Monsters guard soft places badly.
*
Remember name.
Say it when fear grows clever.
Say it again when hope feels thin.
*
Return same route.
Debts settle themselves.
Kindness circles back.
Danger loses interest.
*
Do not rush ending.
Home appears smaller.
That means growth happened.
*
Step through doorway.
Close it gently.
*
Grief follows rules
when treated like guest,
not enemy.
About the Creator
Tim Carmichael
I am an Appalachian poet and cookbook author. I write about rural life, family, and the places I grew up around. My poetry and essays have appeared in Beautiful and Brutal Things, My latest book. Check it out on Amazon
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Comments (1)
This is fantastic, Tim! I always smile when I get a notification that you have a new post, and your work never disappoints.