I was, as in a waiting room, stagnant, airless, drear,
I didn’t move and no one came, I felt constrained by fear.
There was a door but it was locked, I couldn’t see the key.
I waited anxious, fearful; who would come for me?
I noticed pinned upon the wall a list that ran miles long,
Headed “All Excuses Here’ and ‘see if you belong”
I glanced around and still alone, I read the words with tears,
Written by a thousand hands but worn and aged by years.
The notice boldly stated that I could wait awhile
To see if I was on the list, the list that ran a mile
I started reading slowly, startled I read more,
All excuses I had used, had all been used before!
A mirror hung upon the wall, reflecting my worn face
The mask I’d worn was slipping, as sorrow took its place.
All my self-deception had brought me here, alone
Relationships and self-esteem were splattered o’er that stone.
So where, I reasoned, are they, the ones who went before?
Had they found a new excuse that took them through that door?
I searched that room for answers struggling with self-doubt,
If I can’t find a new excuse I never will get out.
The list, the door, the mirror, was all that I could see.
I couldn’t find that new excuse, to write – and set me free.
I noticed at the long list’s end, words of a different hue.
“If you can’t find a new excuse, perhaps the key is you.”
I hadn’t found a new excuse; they’d all been used before.
So what was holding ‘me’ back then from passing through that door?
I looked into the mirror and suddenly ‘twas clear
I saw you all, who’d quit that place were not constrained by fear.
I took a breath, a leap of faith; I knew what I must do
Forsake my fear and place my trust in doing something new.
With all excuses stripped away, I cast my fear side
On my own but not alone, the door swung open wide.