A young couple giggle like teens
as they stumble toward their guest house.
Muffled laughter escapes as they recount
how close they came to being locked out.
They were told the imposing black wrought
iron gate would close at a specified time; no re-entry
until morning. They had sprinted through a diminishing
opening, hearing the locks click behind them.

A man dressed in black walks slowly past the imposing
black wrought iron gate. Carefully he analyzes the
twists and turns, the swirls of the ornate metal leaves,
looking for any weakness. Looking for access when the family
is away and the house might be left unguarded.

As the paint dries a tradesman takes the opportunity
to admire his work. The imposing black wrought iron gate
has been restored to its former beauty. As he takes in
the size and artistry before him, he imagines who may have
passed through the opening in the gate’s glory days.