[a door asks you to live] by Betsy Johnson

Welcome to Sunday Morning Lyricality, featuring a weekly song or poem by a Minnesota writer.

Poetry can sometimes be like an incantation, calling us to be our better selves. You might want to try this little ritual to start your New Year: get dressed to take a walk outside. Stand inside your door and listen to this short recording of the author reading this poem. Then, open the door and step in to the New Year, “into the wold new opening,” for your life.

–Tracy Rittmueller

[a door asks you to live]
Betsy Johnson

a door asks you to live
between was and
will be. hey. you.
do not stand there
pounding on a door
that has been bricked
in. turn. walk on.
into the wild new opening.

Listen to Betsy Johnson read [a door asks you to live]

Betsy Johnson is an instructor at the College of St. Benedict / St. John’s University where she teaches creative writing.

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