by Ellen Latham
The Door by Miroslav Holub
Go and open the door.
Maybe outside there's
a tree, or a wood,
a garden,
or a magic city.
Go and open the door.
Maybe a dog's rummaging
Maybe you'll see a face,
or an eye,
or the picture
of a picture
Go and open the door.
If there's a fog
it will be clear.
Go and open the door.
Even if there's only
the darkness ticking,
even if there's only
the hollow wind,
even if
nothing
is there,
go and open the door.
At least
there'll be
a draught.
I had never read this poem before Year 10. I first saw it on the door (whether ironically or not) of my English classroom. I read that first stanza and was immediately interested in what the rest of the poem would be. Not only does this poem have a lovely message that it easily conveys, the use of enjambment throughout allows it to flow as if someone was reading it out.
The escalation in the first stanza was what drew me to this poem. The dramatic and almost mystical transition from a "tree" to a "magic city" not only encompasses wonderful images of nature that give me flashbacks to reading Eragon and the Elf city of Ellesmera, but also sparks the imagination through the transition from an everyday ordinary tree to a magical world of your creation. This first stanza highlights the message of the entire poem of imagination and possibility and the idea that we have no clue what's coming next.
The repetitious use of the line 'Go and open the door' almost seems to me to be the narrator egging on the reader, daring them to take that next step, to charge into the unknown. The idea of not being able to see what's coming is emphasized through the conceit of the door, highlighting the concept of mystery with the visual image of the door in front of us.
So, although I haven't known about the poem for very long or analysed it at school, it is most definitely one of my favourite poems. Its message of trying something new, of taking a step into the unknown, of opening a door without knowing what's on the other side, is a message that not only speaks to me but to others. A message that is poignant, especially at a time in our lives when we are faced with decisions and pressure and where everything can build up to equate to your future. Where every decision counts: "Go and open the door" and you won't regret it.
The Door by Miroslav Holub
Go and open the door.
Maybe outside there's
a tree, or a wood,
a garden,
or a magic city.
Go and open the door.
Maybe a dog's rummaging
Maybe you'll see a face,
or an eye,
or the picture
of a picture
Go and open the door.
If there's a fog
it will be clear.
Go and open the door.
Even if there's only
the darkness ticking,
even if there's only
the hollow wind,
even if
nothing
is there,
go and open the door.
At least
there'll be
a draught.
I had never read this poem before Year 10. I first saw it on the door (whether ironically or not) of my English classroom. I read that first stanza and was immediately interested in what the rest of the poem would be. Not only does this poem have a lovely message that it easily conveys, the use of enjambment throughout allows it to flow as if someone was reading it out.
The escalation in the first stanza was what drew me to this poem. The dramatic and almost mystical transition from a "tree" to a "magic city" not only encompasses wonderful images of nature that give me flashbacks to reading Eragon and the Elf city of Ellesmera, but also sparks the imagination through the transition from an everyday ordinary tree to a magical world of your creation. This first stanza highlights the message of the entire poem of imagination and possibility and the idea that we have no clue what's coming next.
The repetitious use of the line 'Go and open the door' almost seems to me to be the narrator egging on the reader, daring them to take that next step, to charge into the unknown. The idea of not being able to see what's coming is emphasized through the conceit of the door, highlighting the concept of mystery with the visual image of the door in front of us.
So, although I haven't known about the poem for very long or analysed it at school, it is most definitely one of my favourite poems. Its message of trying something new, of taking a step into the unknown, of opening a door without knowing what's on the other side, is a message that not only speaks to me but to others. A message that is poignant, especially at a time in our lives when we are faced with decisions and pressure and where everything can build up to equate to your future. Where every decision counts: "Go and open the door" and you won't regret it.
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