With tentative steps he approached the heavy gate,
silently diminishing his stature
as if in such a way he might better his fate;
he feared they were planning to put him to pasture.
Appropriate to ingress and egress
were the halves of a second gate behind the fold.
Though careless at times when he was eager to rest,
he’d never tread the forbidden threshold.
When it came his turn to pass through the vacant place,
his ease of deportment was visibly altered.
He paused and the blood ran out of his face,
although he composed himself before he faltered.
When at last he ascended the central dais,
he held his breath as if he dared not breathe.
He couldn’t recall what he’d been sent to retrieve!
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