DON'T OPEN THE DOOR!

I was warned about it many times by my grandfather,
Father, and for many years, family members.

The rule was that when visiting this most unusual house
never go downstairs past the basement.

There’s a room further on that’s been built into the earth.

A fearful warning: don’t open the door! has been echoed
For a century.

I went down there one night after everyone went to sleep,
I wanted to know what was in there.

I pressed my ear to the door and listened for any sound.

Quiet, no window to look through, nothing.

I discovered a key hanging above the door.

Although I wanted so badly to see what was in that room
I wondered more about why this key was there if it was
So forbidden to open the door.

I went back to bed, night after night; dreams filled my head.

What was in there? A monster, crazy people, were there bodies
Or treasure?

Could it be just an empty old room of dust and cobwebs?

I needed to know, and soon I would find out.

I would see what no person should ever see. I took the key
Into my hand and unlocked it.

I heard the words Don’t open the door! But I did; I opened
The door. Oh God! I opened the door!

Keith Garrett