Adrienne Rich

“Prospective Immigrants Please Note”

Either you will
go through this door
or you will not go through.
 
If you go through
there is always the risk
of remembering your name.
 
Things look at you doubly
and you must look back
and let them happen.
 
If you do not go through
it is possible
to live worthily
 
to maintain your attitudes
to hold your position
to die bravely
 
but much will blind you,
much will evade you,
at what cost who knows?
 
The door itself makes no promises.
It is only a door.
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