Tag: Rhys Mumford On Opening A Door

  • Poetry: Rhys Mumford

    On Opening A Door

    When I left the cafe
    I planted my leading foot beside the door
    The front of my shoe just nudging the skirting
    And I reached for the handle
    with my opposite hand.
    I only mention this because
    (and eschewing false modesty)
    my positioning was perfect.
    It was perfect.
    My carriage optimally aligned,
    I was centred, in equilibrium,
    I was the Platonic ideal of a Archimedean lever.
    I pulled the door towards me
    with balance, fluidity and poise.
    In short I do not think
    I could have opened that door
    any better than I did.
    And if anybody were watching
    Perhaps they would have thought:
    We do not know the situation of this man
    His career-prospects
    Personality
    Or status of his soul
    But this we know:
    On one occasion
    Here, this day,
    he opened that door
    Magnificently.
    I wonder if
    anybody
    noticed.