Palm on the metal, ear to the grain The bolt sits level; I say my name Door, take the weight that I can't explain Keep the hall outside from getting in my veins You know the scrape of my sleeve on the wall You know how my old voice filled this hall Hold that sound where the old grooves are Keep my name near the latch, not far I lean my shoulder into the skin KEEP ME IN! Deadbolt, keep my name here Where the worn grain knows my hand Make this room the only answer Make this boundary understand Hold the person I remember Close enough that I can stay If I never cross this doorway Nothing has to change its name I press the plate, test every screw Call the inside mine because I tell it to No draft gets a vote, no foot gets through The door keeps its silence; I speak for you YOU KNOW MY NAME! I carve each syllable into my breath If the old room owns it, then I own what's left I set my whole weight where the lock won't bend Protection has a border; I decide where it ends Deadbolt, keep my name here Keep it fitted to this side Make this room the only answer Make the threshold testify Hold the person I remember Hold the self I used to be I don't need a world beyond you I need everything kept here I started with "Preserve me" Like mercy lived in steel HOLD! Now "keep me" means "restrain me" Make the fixed thing all I feel DON'T LET ME MOVE! Deadbolt prayer, I changed the plea From guard my name to fasten me Deadbolt, keep my name here You are mine and I am yours Keep the old sound in my breathing Keep who I might be past the door Hold the person I remember Till no other part can speak Every movable piece within me Stays behind the line I keep The bolt stays thrown My palm stays pressed The bass moves on beneath the door I call that rest
