A Knock On The Door - A poem by James Tate


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James Tate - A Knock On The Door

They ask me if I've ever thought about the end of
the world, and I say, "Come in, come in, let me
give you some lunch, for God's sake." After a few
bites it's the afterlife they want to talk about.
"Ouch," I say, "did you see that grape leaf
skeletonizer?" Then they're talking about
redemption and the chosen few sitting right by
His side. "Doing what?" I ask. "Just sitting?" I
am surrounded by burned up zombies. "Let's
have some lemon chiffon pie I bought yesterday
at the 3 Dog Bakery." But they want to talk about
my soul. I'm getting drowsy and see butterflies
everywhere. "Would you gentlemen like to take a
nap, I know I would." They stand and back away
from me, out the door, walking toward my
neighbors, a black cloud over their heads and
they see nothing without end.

Added: on October 19th, 2005 at 12:21 PM | Viewed: 9132 times | Comments and analysis of A Knock On The Door by James Tate Comments (5)

A Knock On The Door - Comments and Information
Poet: James Tate Poem: A Knock On The Door Comment 5 of 5, added on March 11th, 2008 at 9:08 AM. This poem is the best ever. John Cena from Belize Comment 4 of 5, added on February 24th, 2008 at 12:27 AM. Isn't 3 Dog Bakery a company that makes pet food? I used to have cat treats, I can't find them anymore, that were produced by 3 Dog Bakery out of Canada. Jeff from United States Comment 3 of 5, added on October 19th, 2005 at 12:21 PM. when his guests ask him if he's thought about the end of the world, the afterlife and redemption, he asks them if they've thought about the skeletonizer (a moth whose larva eats the leaves of plants)...he has obviously thought about their questions and sees the answer in the moth and the plant but in spite of the fact that he accepts that death comes to all living things, including himself, he's able to accept it and enjoy living his life, while his guests are so busy with thoughts of the hereafter, that they're missing the joy of life...if the guests' days are so filled with proselitizing, with no time for being happy on earth, they may well be missing the beauty of life...i wonder if they even considered eating a piece of his gracious offer of a slice of lemon chiffon pie!! ilene novick from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, A Knock On The Door, has received 5 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by James Tate with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: James Tate Poem: A Knock On The Door Last read: May 13 2008, 1:07PM Viewed 9132 times. Added on October 19th, 2005 at 12:21 PM.

Tate Info
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