Beyond the Gates

Behind these gates lay quite the scene So very surreal, yet not a dream Beautiful headstones, manicured lawns My God the memories this place spawns The winding road, first turn to the right Back to the beginning of my plight Stopping next to the second trail My heart and head pound like hell On the left eleven headstones away Like a movie my memory starts to play People gathered from all around My mother knew everyone in town At the time I was still unable to speak My shattered psyche was far too weak I stood there broken and full of fear Ashamed I could shed not a single tear Ashamed I could speak not a single word Inside my head so many voices heard What did those voices have too say That’s another story for another day Those gates now hold so many I love Everyone I once held above Last time I entered them I was 32 Even though those gates hold all of you Next month I’ll go back and explain why Tell my mother the reason I couldn’t cry Apologize to her for being broken Leave flowers, a poem, and my N.A. token That way she will know without any doubt What her little boy ended up being all about That her little boy is not broken anymore Overcoming adversity is what adversity is for And one day when I’ve completed my fate I’ll be looking for her, “Beyond the Gate” The Shafter, California cemetery holds my mother, Grandparents, my cousin James and many close friends. The last time I visited them was approx. 18 years ago. It’s very strange that I received, “Beyond the Gates” as my topic, because; I’ve been planning this trip for months now. If not for that fact I would have most likely written this poem about prison gates. I reckon all things happen for a reason. Thank you Constance writing this poem has given me strength to help me do what I plan to do. Go make amends to the person who gave me life and taught me the things, which stuck with me through it all. My Grandparents never lost hope in me and always said, "One day Mikey will remember the things we taught him and return to the Lord." I think they will be proud of the man who comes to visit them next month.